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Algerian Olympic gold medallist Imane Khelif has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an effort to overturn a mandatory gender test, the court confirmed on Monday.
CAS said Khelif is contesting the decision by the global boxing federation that bars her from participating in upcoming World Boxing events without undergoing a preliminary genetic test. The 26-year-old was at the centre of controversy at the 2024 Paris Olympics, along with Taiwanese champion Lin Yu-ting.
Both fighters won Olympic gold, but Khelif’s dominant opening bout, in which she defeated her Italian opponent decisively, drew criticism from commentators, including US Vice President JD Vance and author J.K. Rowling. She filed her appeal on 5 August, seeking permission to compete in events such as the upcoming world championships in Liverpool without taking the test.
CAS, however, has declined to suspend the federation’s ruling while the appeal is considered, effectively making it unlikely Khelif can compete in Liverpool if she refuses the test.
Both Khelif and Lin have faced widespread social media attacks and rumours regarding their biological sex, highlighting a broader debate on eligibility in women’s sports that extends beyond boxing to athletics and swimming.
World Boxing introduced mandatory gender testing in late May, later issuing an apology after naming Khelif specifically. The genetic test, which determines eligibility for male and female categories, was last used at the Olympics between 1968 and 1996.
In June, International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry announced the formation of a gender working group to take a scientific approach to eligibility disputes in female competitions.
Khelif also denied reports last month suggesting she had retired from the sport. She accused her former manager, Nasser Yesfah, of making false statements that misrepresented her intentions.
“I would like to make it clear that the reports of my retirement from boxing are false,” Khelif wrote on Facebook, adding that Yesfah “no longer represents me in any way.”
