Imane Khelif is confirmed eligible to compete
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is not banned from competing, according to the World Boxing Organization (WBO). Recent false reports claimed she was banned after being recognized as a man. These claims, circulated by a social media user, have gained significant attention but are entirely untrue. The WBO confirmed on March 19 that Khelif meets all competition requirements and is officially recognized as a woman. The organization is currently evaluating its gender variation rules, but Khelif's status remains intact. This is not the first time Khelif has faced baseless claims regarding her gender. Such accusations often arise on social media and are linked to broader debates about gender in sports. Past fact checks have also debunked similar rumors. In October 2024, the WBO addressed previous reports suggesting Khelif had been banned or stripped of her Olympic gold medal for failing gender-specific tests, calling those statements "obviously false." Khelif was disqualified from the women’s boxing world championships in March 2023 after a confidential test indicated she had an unfair advantage. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has defended Khelif, emphasizing that both she and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting were born and raised as women. The IOC criticized misleading information about female athletes in its statements last year. Imane Khelif is celebrated in Algeria for her achievements and is viewed as a role model who challenges traditional views of femininity in sports. Her popularity continues to grow following her success at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.