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The internet insists on calling a spade a spade. The internet will also pompously convince you that they have personally worked with a variety of spades and that they intimately understand how these fantastic tools curve precisely around their working edges for maximum utility. However, any amount or manner of squinting will also reveal that the tool they’re referring to, is in fact, a shovel.<br /><br />Despite the fact that humans today indubitably can access information like before in history, there is still a terrible misinformation pandemic afoot. When it isn’t producing dizzying Mandela Effects to reconcile with, it is mobilising the public with pitchforks, rallying them for a cause they didn’t care about until a week ago. A similar incident transpired during the recent 2024 Paris Olympics, where the identity of Algerian boxer <keyword id="22621786" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="imane-khelif" source="keywords">Imane Khelif</keyword> came under intense scrutiny after her historic gold — with some media outlets and influential personalities also aiding the uproar.<br /><br />Since the initial row dragged in high-profile figures such as <keyword id="19903807" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elon-musk" source="keywords">Elon Musk</keyword> and Trump, a leaked medical report has claimed to “confirm” Imane’s male-ness. This renewed public discourse on the matter, with various Indian media outlets once again casually labelling the athlete as “a man”. For example, a headline in the Hindustan Times ran, “<em>Imane <keyword id="22633929" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="khelif" source="keywords">Khelif</keyword>, Paris Olympics medalist, confirmed a man in leaked medical report</em>”, and another article by Livemint claimed Khelif was "confirmed as man" following the leak of her medical details. Similar headlines were being carried by a host of mainstream outlets, including The Indian Express and Moneycontrol.<br /><br />Science suggests that there is a great deal of nuance to gender and identity, concepts that are misrepresented due to a lack of gender studies in traditional education. Reporting Khelif to be a man, based solely on reported biological characteristics is highly misleading when discussing both the medical and societal implications of gender identity. To clear the confusion, let’s look at the official definitions of gender, explore Khelif’s reported medical condition, and review the consequences of how media coverage can amplify misunderstandings and bias.<br /><h2>Where the new controversy started</h2>The recent controversy began when a leaked medical report indicated that Khelif has XY chromosomes, internal testes, and lacks a uterus, potentially due to a rare genetic condition called 5-alpha reductase deficiency.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112218392" title="Imane Khelif: Is it accurate to label this female-born boxer as ‘biological male’ or ‘transgender’?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>This was nothing new, as a similar report had helped Khelif become the subject of substantial media and public scrutiny in the past as well. During the Olympics, however, statements from high-profile figures like former US President <keyword id="19918985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="donald-trump" source="keywords">Donald Trump</keyword> and author <keyword id="20260304" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jk-rowling" source="keywords">JK Rowling</keyword> — who insisted that Khelif was an ineligible man — helped catapult public discourse on gender and sports to astronomical levels. In response, Khelif filed a complaint in France against Trump, Rowling, and Elon Musk, citing cyber harassment and arguing that the comments about her identity amount to public harassment.<br /><br />Despite the reports and the outrage, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has upheld her eligibility to compete in the women’s division, acknowledging her identity as a woman. They based their decision on her lifelong identification as female and her history of competing as such, setting an example of inclusivity while recognising the complexities of gender and biological diversity.<br /><h2>Difference between sex and gender</h2>Understanding Khelif’s case requires better clarity on the terms “sex” and “gender.” While the public may use them interchangeably, there are important differences that are rooted in many fields of science. Sex typically refers to biological differences — chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive anatomy. Gender, however, encompasses the social roles, behaviours, and identities that individuals embody, which may or may not align with their biological sex.<br /><br />A helpful way to think about this distinction is by analogy. Consider how some people have genetically blue eyes while others have brown eyes — these are inherent biological characteristics. However, people might choose to wear contact lenses to change their eye colour, much like how gender identity can vary depending on how individuals view themselves and how they are seen within society. Another popular — albeit somewhat controversial — manner of comparing the two is to think of a person’s sex as their “hardware”, while their gender is the “software” they run on.<br /><br />As such, a person’s biology might suggest certain physical traits, but their gender identity could align differently based on personal and cultural factors. To help them feel more at ease with their bodies, many individuals often undergo hormone therapy and counselling. Some even opt for “gender-affirming” surgeries to modify their physical appearances to match up with the gender they feel the most comfortable in.<br /><br />It is also key to recognise that, for some people, gender identity is flexible and can evolve over time. While biological sex generally remains constant, some people may feel more connected to a specific gender at certain points in their lives, while at other times, they feel aligned with another. This concept, called gender fluidity, shows that gender identity isn't always fixed, and is instead shaped by a blend of inner feelings and external experiences, meaning it can shift naturally over time. Supporting this fluidity helps people feel accepted and understood.<br /><h2>Media language and its implications</h2>Due to these reasons, it is problematic when media outlets refer to Khelif as a "man" or "confirmed as man" in their headlines, which is often the only section of the news most read nowadays. These titles communicate to the general public that biology alone dictates gender identity, a stance inconsistent with widely accepted definitions and understandings of gender today.<br /><br />For instance, even the <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organization" source="keywords">World Health Organization</keyword> (WHO) differentiates between sex and gender based on the biological and socially constructed characteristics discussed earlier, insisting that calling someone a man based on sex-linked traits alone oversimplifies their identity and disregards personal self-identification. Not just the WHO, major organisations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the United Nations differentiate sex and gender in a similar manner.<br /><br />Science aside, news outlets have a responsibility to handle sensitive issues like gender identity with nuance and respect. While transparency in reporting is essential, invasive coverage of Khelif's private medical details and sensationalised labelling may infringe upon her privacy. Moreover, by framing her gender identity in simplistic terms, the media risks reinforcing stereotypes and marginalising individuals with differences in sex development or gender diversity. <br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112240010" title="Dutee Chand extends support to under-fire boxer Imane Khalif following controversial win in Paris Olympics" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Overall, such rare, unique, and complex cases must be handled by the appropriate and informed authorities and should not be subject to a media trial. Ethically, a more respectful approach would involve using gender-neutral terms when discussing Khelif’s eligibility and refraining from language that disregards her self-identification as a woman. Such reporting would be in line with journalistic guidelines that emphasise minimising harm and respecting the dignity of individuals, especially those in vulnerable or marginalised communities.<br /><h2>What even is 5-Alpha Reductase Deficiency?</h2>The condition reportedly attributed to Khelif, 5-alpha reductase deficiency, is a rare genetic condition. Individuals with this condition have XY chromosomes, but their bodies do not effectively convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen responsible for male genital development. Consequently, people with this condition often appear female or have ambiguous genitalia at birth, although they might undergo masculinising changes at puberty.<br /><br />Notably, people with 5-alpha reductase deficiency are typically assigned female at birth in societies with limited access to advanced genetic testing. Even Imane’s assigned gender was 'female' at birth, as per the official birth certificate shared by her family after the initial controversy during the Paris Olympics. Many of these individuals live as women and some self-identify as female throughout their lives. Thus, it would be misleading to categorically label them as male solely due to their chromosomal makeup, as this does not reflect their lived gender experience.<br /><br />The controversy surrounding Imane Khelif raises essential questions about gender identity and eligibility criteria in competitive sports. Many governing bodies are grappling with these issues, and it is clear that a single set of criteria may not accommodate the complexities of gender. Striking a balance between fair competition and the inclusion of all athletes will require policies informed by medical insights and a compassionate understanding of gender identity.<br /><br />Moving forward, it is essential that media, sports organisations, and the public alike strive to understand gender identity as an intricate intersection of biology, identity, and culture.<br /><br /><em>Disclaimer: This article uses she/her pronouns considering that Imane identifies herself as female and a woman, and we were unable to find any public information on her preferred pronouns. However, this does not imply any form of judgement on the athlete’s gender identity. The decision on whether such athletes should be allowed to participate in competitions must be left to appropriate authorities and should not be made on social or digital media.</em><br />

Imane Khelif Olympic gold controversy resurfaces. Is it accurate to term the Algerian boxer a “confirmed man”?

<ul><li><keyword id="22621786" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Imane-Khelif" source="keywords">Imane Khelif</keyword> is not “biological male” or “transgender”. She was assigned female at birth, based on the observed external genitalia.</li><li>She appears to have a condition known as differences of sex development (<keyword id="265075" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="DSD" source="Orion">DSD</keyword>), previously termed as “intersex”.</li><li>Labelling individuals with DSD as a “biological male/female” can be misleading and problematic, as it oversimplifies their identity.</li></ul><br />A storm is brewing at the <keyword id="20013164" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="2024-Paris-Olympics" source="keywords">2024 Paris Olympics</keyword>, with the spotlight now firmly on <keyword id="22633574" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Algerian-boxer" source="keywords">Algerian boxer</keyword> Imane Khelif.<br /><br />The controversy ignited after Khelif's opening bout on Thursday, which ended dramatically when her opponent—Italy's Angela Carini—withdrew just 46 seconds into the clash after suffering a nose injury. This outcome has kickstarted a fierce debate over <keyword id="22633573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gender-eligibility" source="keywords">gender eligibility</keyword> in sports around the world.<br /><br />The fallout on social media has been swift and intense, with critics slamming the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to let Khelif compete. Many argue that this situation compromises the fairness of <keyword id="22159410" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="womens-sports" source="keywords">women's sports</keyword>, fueling widespread outrage.<br /><br />Meanwhile, many social media users, including several prominent public figures, labelled Khelif as “biological male”, "a male or man" or “transgender”.<br /><br /><div type="twitter" handle="jk_rowling" handlename="jk_rowling" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1819007216214573268"></div><br /><div type="twitter" handle="elonmusk" handlename="elonmusk" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1818986936310075743"></div><br /><div type="twitter" handle="trussliz" handlename="trussliz" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1818966074680873080"></div><br />However, this characterisation appears oversimplified and scientifically inaccurate, and it does not fully capture the complexity of the situation.<br /><h2>Meet Imane Khelif: Born female, living with DSD</h2>Scientifically speaking, classifying Khelif as 'male' or 'transgender' would not be accurate. In fact, contrary to most claims on the internet, her family claims that her assigned gender was 'female' at birth, as per the official birth certificate that Imane's father, Omar, produced during a French TV interview on BFMTV. This classification hinges on the external genitalia observed at birth, which is the most common practice for identifying biological sex worldwide. However, in rare cases, genitalia-based identification during birth can be an inaccurate way to categorise sex, even in medical terms.<br />      <div type="Youtube" id="DV4VMdDoCUA" title="Imane Khelif's father: 'My child is a girl'" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DV4VMdDoCUA/mqdefault.jpg"><url><![CDATA[https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DV4VMdDoCUA]]></url></div><br />Khelif’s biological profile presents a nuanced situation. Born female and identifying as a woman, she appears to have a condition known as differences of sex development (DSD), as per experts cited by <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/imane-khelif-dsd-xy-chromosome-test-paris-2024-olympics-b2591171.html" data-type="tilCustomLink">The Independent</a><em></em>. This inference is based on her XY chromosomal composition, elevated testosterone levels and certain physical features, all of which are traits typically associated with males. Such discrepancies can stem from various genetic conditions, including DSD. With that said, it is important to note that Imane has not publicly confirmed having a DSD.<br /><br />DSD can cause a discrepancy between an individual’s chromosomes and their physical characteristics, sometimes resulting in ambiguous genitalia or other variations in sexual development. While the term “intersex” was once used for such conditions, “differences of sex development” is now preferred to avoid the negative connotations of “disorder”.<br />      <div type="image" title="intersex" agency="iStock" msid="112585286" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Mercury symbol (&amp;#9791;) has been used to represent intersex people.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />Given the complexities, labelling someone with DSD as a “biological male” or “biological female” can be misleading and problematic. It oversimplifies their identity and can perpetuate stigma, as evident in the current global discourse.<br /><h2>The right to compete without discrimination</h2>The fact that further complicates the narrative around Imane Khelif’s participation in women’s boxing is that she is legally and socially recognised as female. For the social recognition aspect, it is important to consider that she comes from a society where views on transgender and <keyword id="2058740" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="intersex" source="Orion">intersex</keyword> issues are shaped by conservative cultural norms and legal frameworks.<br /><br />Instead, Khelif has received strong support in her home country. The Algerian Olympic Committee has defended her participation, condemning the “malicious attacks” and underscoring her right to compete without discrimination.<br /><br />In the midst of mounting controversy, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reiterated Imane Khelif’s eligibility to compete in the women’s boxing category at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The IOC has confirmed that Khelif meets all competition and medical regulations, asserting that “every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination”.<br /><h2>The <keyword id="1142452" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dutee-Chand" source="Orion">Dutee Chand</keyword> parallel and complexities of sporting regulations</h2>The uproar surrounding Khelif echoes the 2014 saga of India’s very own sprinter, Dutee Chand, whose story was notably depicted in the 2021 movie Rashmi Rocket, starring Taapsee Pannu.<br />                                                <div type="image" title="Dutee Chand" agency="BCCL" msid="112218868" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Dutee Chand&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Chand faced disqualification from the Commonwealth Games after elevated testosterone levels led to her exclusion under the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) regulations on hyperandrogenism. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) barred her from competition, citing these regulations.<br /><br />Her elevated testosterone levels were, in fact, due to a medical condition known as hyperandrogenism, which is characterised by naturally high levels of androgens (including testosterone) in the body. As per studies, this condition is known to affect approximately seven out of every 1,000 elite female track athletes.<br /><br />Chand’s challenge to this decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) resulted in a landmark ruling in 2015, which temporarily suspended the IAAF’s hyperandrogenism regulations. This allowed her to return to competitive athletics, spotlighting the ongoing issues faced by athletes with intersex conditions.<br /><br />Now, Khelif’s situation has reopened broader discussions on <keyword id="20276643" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gender-identity" source="keywords">gender identity</keyword>, biological sex and fairness in sports, with political motives also influencing the narrative. Amid this controversy, two points stand out. First, there’s a pressing need for a broader understanding of differences in sex development to foster scientifically informed perspectives. Second, the criteria for intersex athletes—especially in sports where biological differences are pronounced—require a more nuanced and thoughtful approach.<br /><br /><em>Correction: August 12, 2024 — </em><em>The text in paragraph four, six and seven has been edited to accurately reflect the claims around the athlete's assigned sex at birth.</em><br /><br /><strong>Also Read:</strong><em></em><br />                                              <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112009818" title="From sunbeams to Olympic dreams: How a simple mirror creates the legendary Olympic flame" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112097005" title="Bite-sized tradition: Why do Olympic winners bite their medals?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Imane Khelif: Is it accurate to label this female-born boxer as ‘biological male’ or ‘transgender’?

<keyword id="19944940" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-athlete" source="keywords">Indian athlete</keyword> <keyword id="21523333" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dutee-Chand" source="keywords">Dutee Chand</keyword>, the country's first openly gay sprinter, on Friday, talked about the <keyword id="22634959" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gender-controversy" source="keywords">gender controversy</keyword> being faced by <keyword id="22652000" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Algeria-boxer" source="keywords">Algeria boxer</keyword> <keyword id="22646344" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Imane-Khalif" source="keywords">Imane Khalif</keyword>, at the ongoing <keyword id="20006192" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris-Olympics" source="keywords">Paris Olympics</keyword> and defended the athlete's right to compete in the competition. <br /><br />Italian boxer <keyword id="22631089" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Angela-Carini" source="keywords">Angela Carini</keyword> quit her 66 kg women's category boxing match against Algeria's Imane Khalif on Thursday, handing the latter, who was banned from competing in world championships following failures in testosterone and gender eligibility tests, a win in the opening round. Algeria's Khelif won the fight within just 46 seconds after her opponent quit. A very few punches were thrown before Carini abandoned the match, which is a rare occurrence in <keyword id="20634596" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympic-boxing" source="keywords">Olympic boxing</keyword>.<br /><br />Dutee shared her own experience of being dropped from the 2014 Commonwealth Games squad when the <keyword id="20386415" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Athletics-Federation-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Athletics Federation of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Athletics Federation of India">Athletics Federation of India</keyword> (AFI) decided to drop her, citing that she was ineligible to compete as a woman athlete, due to hyperandrogenism, which is a medical condition in which woman has a high level of androgens and how it was difficult for her to cope with such problems and immense pressure because of it. <br /><br />She extended her support to Imane, saying that if the <keyword id="20407227" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="International-Olympic-Committee" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="International Olympic Committee" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="International Olympic Committee">International Olympic Committee</keyword> (IOC) does not have any problems with her competing and has not raised any questions about her gender, then why her opponent had a problem with her. <br /><br />Speaking to ANI, Dutee said, "A lot of issues occur when such a situation comes up. I faced it in 2014. Before I was selected for the Commonwealth Games, I was dropped from the team. There were media reports that I had to undergo a gender test, that I am not a woman but a man and that is why I cannot play in the women's category. At that time, the biggest challenge was to lead a normal life in society. So, with what is happening at the Olympics, she (Imane) will perhaps face a lot of issues .She will face immense mental pressure.''<br /> "Before we go to the Olympics, we face a number of tests - Doping Test, Hormonal Level Test, Gender Test. So, if she is facing a gender issue, how did she participate in the Olympics? She has played in a lot of competitions before this. She must have undergone tests there too. When IOC made no complaints that she is male by gender, how can someone question her? She has lost 9 games so far (in her career). Today, she (Angela Carini) is questioning as she lost the game. She would not have raised a question had she won," she added. <br /><br />Following the match, the Italian was in tears and refused to shake hands with Khelif, as per ESPN. In the post-match interview, Khelif said, as quoted by ESPN, that she felt severe pain in her nose during the fight. She also said that she was not going to judge if Khelif should be allowed to compete at the Olympics.<br /><br />"I felt a severe pain in my nose, and with the maturity of a boxer, I said 'enough,' because I didn't want to, I did not want to, I could not finish the match," Carini said. "I am not here to judge or pass judgment. If an athlete is this way, and in that sense, it is not right or it is right, it is not up to me to decide. I just did my job as a boxer. I got into the ring and fought. I did it with my head held high and with a broken heart for not having finished the last kilometre," she added.<br /><br />Just before her gold medal bout in the International Boxing Association (IBA) Women's Championships held in New Delhi last year, Khelif was disqualified as she had failed to meet IBA's eligibility criteria. She was not allowed to compete due to elevated testosterone levels, as per ESPN.<br /><br />But she was allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) task force, which is running past two Olympic boxing events, as IBA has been banned from the past two years in Olympics due to governance issues, lack of financial transparency and instances of corruption in judging and refereeing.<br /><br />IOC defended the rights of Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, another boxer under scrutiny due to failing an unspecified eligibility requirement in a biochemical test, to compete in the Olympics.<br /><br />Replying to the controversy, the IOC said on Thursday in a statement, "All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition's eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU). As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, the gender and age of the athletes are based on their passports."<br /><br />"These rules also applied during the qualification period, including the boxing tournaments of the 2023 European Games, Asian Games, Pan American Games and Pacific Games, the ad hoc 2023 African qualifying tournament in Dakar (SEN) and two world qualifying tournaments held in Busto Arsizio (ITA) and Bangkok (THA) in 2024, which involved a total of 1,471 different boxers from 172 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the Boxing Refugee Team and Individual Neutral Athletes, and featured over 2,000 qualification bouts," the IOC statement read.<br /><br />The IOC said that the athletes in question had been subjects of an arbitrary decision by the International Boxing Association earlier.<br /><br />"We have seen in reports misleading information about two female athletes competing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The two athletes have been competing in international boxing competitions for many years in the women's category, including the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships and IBA-sanctioned tournaments. These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process," the IOC said.<br /><br />"According to the IBA minutes available on their website, this decision was initially taken solely by the IBA Secretary General and CEO. The IBA Board only ratified it afterwards and only subsequently requested that a procedure to follow in similar cases in the future be established and reflected in the IBA Regulations. The minutes also say that the IBA should "establish a clear procedure on gender testing. The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure - especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years. Such an approach is contrary to good governance," the IOC added.<br /><br />The IOC said it was committed to protecting the human rights of all athletes participating in the Olympic Games as per the Olympic Charter, the IOC Code of Ethics and the IOC Strategic Framework on Human Rights. The IOC further said it was saddened by the abuse that the two athletes are currently receiving, the release added. <br /><br />

Dutee Chand extends support to under-fire boxer Imane Khalif following controversial win in Paris Olympics

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Imane Khelif Olympic gold controversy resurfaces. Is it accurate to term the Algerian boxer a “confirmed man”?

Ankush Banerjee

Imane Khelif: Is it accurate to label this female-born boxer as ‘biological male’ or ‘transgender’?

Kunal Kambli

Dutee Chand extends support to under-fire boxer Imane Khalif following controversial win in Paris Olympics

ANI

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