Imane Khelif slams IBA after complaint against IOC, threatens legal action: 'Silence is no longer an option'

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has vowed to continue her fight to protect her “rights and the principles of fair competition” after the International Boxing Association (IBA) filed a legal action against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over her participation in the Paris Olympics 2024.

The suspended IBA had claimed that Khelif was not eligible to take part in the Olympics as she failed a sex chromosome test at the 2023 World Championships and was subsequently banned. The IOC, however, cleared Khelif – who is a cisgender woman – to compete in the Paris Games where she won the women’s 66kg boxing gold medal. However, her campaign was marred with global outcry as multiple celebrities and fans labelled her a man .

The IBA, on Monday, said that it has filed a complaint against the Swiss-based IOC with the Attorney General of Switzerland for allowing “ineligible athletes" Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting to compete at Paris 2024.

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“According to the Swiss law, any action or inaction that poses a safety risk to competition participants warrants investigation and may serve as grounds for criminal prosecution," IBA statement read. “In addition, similar complaints are to be filed with the Attorneys General of France and the USA.”

Khelif slams IBA after complaint against IOC

After IBA’s official complaint, Khelif took to Instagram to slam the international body and said that she wouldn’t remain silent. “For eight years, I have fought for my dream – eight years of sacrifice, discipline, and perseverance to stand on the Olympic stage and represent my country with pride. I have earned my place, and I will continue to stand firm in the face of any challenge,” Khelif wrote on Instagram.

“For two years, I have taken the high road while my name and image have been used, unauthorized, to further personal and political agendas through the spreading and dissemination of baseless lies and misinformation. But silence is no longer an option.

“The International Boxing Association (IBA), an organization that I am no longer associated with and which is no longer recognized by the International Olympic Committee, have again made baseless accusations that are false and offensive, using them to further their agenda. This is a matter that concerns not just me but the broader principles of fairness and due process in sport."

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Khelif added that she will take necessary legal actions to protect her rights.

“My team is carefully reviewing the situation and will take all necessary legal steps to ensure that my rights and the principles of fair competition are upheld. Those responsible for these actions must be held accountable, and we will pursue all available legal avenues to ensure that justice prevails. I am not going anywhere.”

‘Khelif is not transgender athlete’

Meanwhile, IOC in a statement to CNN reiterated that Khelif and Yu-ting are “not transgender athletes”.

“This IBA statement is just another example of IBA’s campaign against the IOC which is ongoing since their recognition was withdrawn by the IOC for issues related to governance, judging and refereeing as well as questions around their finances.

“The two female athletes mentioned by IBA are not transgender athletes. They were born as women, were raised as women, and have competed in the women’s category for their entire boxing careers, including at previous international competitions such as the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, when both of them did not win a medal."