Imane Khelif Fires Back On Genetics And Trump's Opinion: “It’s In My Blood”

George Fields Feb. 5, 2026, 9:10 a.m.

The boxer’s gender identity and compliance with sports regulations have been focal points recently. Khelif possesses female hormones but has XY chromosomes containing the SRY gene, making her situation unique. She's been transparent about undergoing hormonal treatments to reduce testosterone levels before competitions, a requirement from World Boxing [which replaced the International Boxing Association (IBA)].

Khelif addressed these matters openly during an interview with L'Equipe. She stated,

"I have female hormones. And people don't know it, but I did hormonal treatments to lower my testosterone level for competitions."
Her willingness to comply with regulations extends to future events too:
"For the next Games, if I have to take a test, I will do it. I have no problem with that; I already did this test."

Beyond discussions of compliance and identity verification, Khelif’s recent exchange included a response to critics like Trump and others known for their vocal opinions on such matters. She plainly expressed respect for these figures while asserting her identity clearly:

"I respect everyone, and I respect Trump because he is the president of the United States. But he can't misrepresent the truth. I'm not trans; I'm a girl."

Khelif’s journey remains firmly focused on her goals within boxing despite external distractions and criticisms. As she looks ahead to Los Angeles 2028, she remains committed both to following necessary regulations and challenging misconceptions about her identity.

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