The spotlight burns bright on Algerian boxer Imane Khelif as she prepares to defend her Olympic gold medal at Los Angeles 2028. The 25-year-old athlete finds herself at the center of a global controversy that’s drawn comments from some of the world’s most powerful figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Khelif’s journey to Olympic glory was anything but smooth. After being disqualified from the 2023 World Championships over disputed gender eligibility tests conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA), she faced a storm of criticism when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed her to compete in Paris. The controversy reached fever pitch during her quarterfinal match against Italy’s Angela Carini, which ended abruptly after Khelif delivered a powerful blow just 46 seconds into the first round.
Now, with Trump signing an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” and directly targeting Khelif in public statements, the boxer isn’t staying silent. “I’m not transgender,” Khelif clarified in a recent ITV interview. “The U.S. president made a decision about transgender policies in his country. I’m not intimidated by this.”
The Algerian champion sees her Paris victory as more than just athletic achievement. “That gold medal was the most significant of the entire Games,” she reflects. “It represented triumph on ethical, athletic, and sportsmanship levels.” Despite ongoing legal battles and personal struggles, including cyber-harassment lawsuits against Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling, Khelif remains focused on LA 2028, proving her resilience extends far beyond the boxing ring.
