Who is Imane Khelif: The Algerian Olympic boxer deemed to have male chromosomes

Debate over the biological sex of a boxer who won a women's match at the Olympic Games is sweeping the globe. Here's what Americans have to say about the issue.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is in the middle of a gender eligibility controversy, and the temperature on the drama only turned up after a win over a female Italian fighter at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 1.

Khelif is in the Olympics for the second time. The boxer fought for Algeria in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when it was held in 2021. But since that time, Khelif has been in the midst of drama.

Here’s what to know about Khelif and the issue.

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Imane Khelif of Algeria is seen ahead of her fight against Angela Carini of Italy on Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris. (Reuters/Isabel Infantes)

Khelif is a 25-year-old boxer from Tiaret, Algeria. Khelif, who is currently a UNICEF ambassador, grew up in a rural village in the province and has been open about growing into the sport. Khelif’s father didn’t "approve of boxing for girls," according to UNICEF.

Khelif was able to start training for boxing sessions by selling scrap metal for recycling.

Team Algeria coach Mohamed Al-Shawa assists Imane Khelif prior to the match against Angela Carini of Team Italy during the Paris Olympic Games on Aug. 1, 2024. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Khelif debuted on the world amateur stage at 19 years old and came in 17th at the 2018 World Championships, sanctioned by the International Boxing Association (IBA) – then known as AIBA.

Khelif finished 19th in the 2019 Women’s World Boxing Championships. The Algerian fighter was in the 2020 Olympics and made it to the quarterfinals before losing to Ireland’s Kellie Harrington.

But in 2022, Khelif finished second in the Women’s World Boxing Championships