Algerian male boxer Imane Khelif has warned that he plans to fight against women during the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and insists that he won’t let President Donald Trump “intimidate” him.
In a message to Trump, Khelif said Trump’s executive order banning male athletes from female sports “does not concern me.”
Trump’s “decision related to transgender policies in America… does not intimidate me,” he warned.
Khelif claims that Trump’s order does not apply to him because “I am not transgender.”
The boxer claims that he’s female, despite DNA tests proving that he’s male.
Khelif has become a controversial figure after violently beating women in boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He was allowed to compete against women based on his “gender identity,” despite multiple groups concluding that he’s male.
The International Boxing Association and the World Boxing Organization determined Khelif to be a man.
A team of endocrinologists also reportedly revealed a pelvic MRI of Khelif that showed the “absence of a uterus” and the presence of “gonads in inguinal canals,” meaning testicles in the abdomen.
During a recent interview, Khelif continued to deny these allegations.
He continues to claim that he’s a woman and not a transgender.
In the interview, he added to his months-long campaign of accusing public figures of hate speech.
“I won the gold medal, which was the best response after all the bullying I was subjected to,” Khelif said.
“My response during the Paris Olympics was always in the ring.
“And responding by winning the gold medal was even better.”
“I see myself as a girl, just like any other girl,” the boxer later added.
“I was born a girl, raised as a girl, and have lived my entire life as one.”
Khelif told UK network ITV that his “victory” in the women’s boxing category was the most important triumph at the last Olympics.
He argued that it not only came with “ethical” and “athletic” implications but his “win” was also significant for the idea of “sportsmanship,” as well.
The Algerian admitted to being shocked when “heads of state, famous figures, and former athletes” spoke about the ordeal.
Questions about his gender led to the boxer filing criminal hate-speech complaints in France, including claims of “aggravated cyber harassment.”
Author J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk, and President Trump were all accused by the athlete of spreading “hate” by raising concerns about men fighting against women.
Still, Khelif said critics were speaking “without any reliable or documented information.”
He still insists that all of the evidence showing that he’s male is not “trustworthy.”
“The IBA is not recognized by the International Olympic Committee, which means this federation lacks credibility and is not trusted within the Olympic Games,” Khelif claimed.
“At this point, I can say that the IBA is a thing of the past.”
The 25-year-old insisted that President Trump’s executive order aimed at preventing men from competing in women’s sports would not be an issue at the Olympics in Los Angeles.
The LA Games will take place during Trump’s term.
Bluntly, Khelif said he is “not transgender.”
“I will give you a straightforward answer: The U.S. president issued a decision related to transgender policies in America,” Khelif said.
“I am not transgender.
“This does not concern me, and it does not intimidate me.
“That is my response.”
“As we say in Algeria, those who have nothing to hide should have no fear,” Khelif added.
The controversial gold medalist intends to compete at the games in Los Angeles.
Reports suggest that the IOC will be asked to ban athletes purporting to be transgender.
However, Khelif’s claim that he’s “not transgender” could lead to a very public standoff leading up to the 2028 games.
The IOC typically leaves athlete testing and rules up to governing bodies that pertain to each sport.
However, after the IBA was dropped by the Olympics before the 2020 games, the IOC decided to govern boxing on its own, which involved no gender testing.
The Olympics only uses an athlete’s “gender identity” to determine their category and doesn’t require further evidence.
“Of course, I defend with everything I have, this gold medal,” Khelif concluded.
“I continue my dream, my everything.”
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