Gender row boxer Imane Khelif has outlined her ambition to win another Olympic medal after clinching a controversial gold in Paris last summer.
Khelif, 26, was one of two boxers at the centre of an eligibility storm at the 2024 Paris Olympics, alongside Lin Yu-ting, but was cleared to compete.
This came despite the International Boxing Association (IBA) previously disqualifying her and Yu-ting from the World Championships in 2023, after the former governing body for the sport claimed the two fighters had failed gender eligibility tests.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped the IBA of its status in June 2023 owing to concerns over how the organisation was run. The IOC said competitors were eligible for women’s categories in Paris if their passports said they were female.
Khelif, who has repeatedly said she was born a woman, has not stepped into the ring since winning the 66kg women’s boxing event at the last Olympics.
She recently dismissed claims from her former manager that she had retired from boxing, accusing him of ‘betrayal’ after his comments to a French publication.
Gender row boxer Imane Khelif wants to win another medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Khelif took gold in Paris last summer despite being at the centre of an eligibility storm
Although she will miss the upcoming World Championships after the introduction of sex testing, Khelif plans to fight on and is targeting success in Los Angeles in 2028.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, she said: ‘I have no intention of retiring.
‘Winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics gave me extra motivation: I had to overcome many obstacles to achieve this, including harassment, and I want to continue fighting to silence those who doubt me.
‘Thanks to my sporting achievements, my goals have grown.’
On last summer’s eligibility row, Khelif added: ‘Unfortunately, I faced a situation that other athletes have experienced in the past and still face today. My experience at the Olympic Games shows that any athlete can be a victim.
‘What happened was very damaging, but I managed to stay focused without being influenced by the media hype. I respect the rules as they are written.
‘But when external pressures make everything unclear, it’s easy to fall victim to sudden and unfair decisions. This harms not only the athlete, but also the very spirit of the sport, which should be based on transparency and mutual respect.’
The new World Boxing rules state that fighters must take a PCR test or a functional medical equivalent genetic screening test to certify their eligibility to compete. These tests are carried out through testing saliva, blood or a nasal or mouth swab.
Khelif, who recently revealed a makeover, has yet to return to the ring after her Olympics glory
Those deemed to be male at birth with a Y chromosome or with differences in sexual development in which male androgenisation occurs cannot compete with women.
‘World Boxing respects the dignity of all individuals and is keen to ensure it is as inclusive as possible,’ World Boxing president Boris Van Der Vorst said.
‘Yet in a combat sport like boxing, we have a duty of care to deliver safety and competitiveness fairness, which are the key principles that have guided the development and creation of this policy.’
