Imane Khelif gender row: What is 5-Alpha reductase deficiency allegedly found in leaked medical report?
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, gold medalist at the 2024 Olympics, faces controversy over a leaked medical report suggesting she has 5-alpha reductase deficiency
Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who recently won gold in women's boxing at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, is once again hitting the headlines after sparking a heated gender debate months back.
The controversy erupted following the alleged leak of a medical report suggesting that Khelif may have a condition known as 5-alpha reductase deficiency. French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia has claimed that documents indicate that Khelif possesses XY chromosomes. HT.com has not independently verified the authenticity of the information.
What is 5-Alpha reductase deficiency?
The 5-alpha reductase deficiency (5-αRD) is a genetic condition that affects how sexual development happens, according to Medical News. This rare inherited disorder can lead to a variety of symptoms that may change the appearance of external genitalia.
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People with this condition are born genetically male but have trouble producing a crucial hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone is essential for the development of male sex characteristics, especially those visible on the outside of the body. Individuals with this condition are genetically male, having one X and one Y chromosome.
Imane Khelif’s leaked medical report
The leaked report, which allegedly comes from Paris's Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital and Algiers's Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital. The report has gone viral on social media platforms.
In 2023, the International Boxing Association (IBA) decided to bar Khelif from the World Championship Gold Medal fight in New Delhi. But, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) didn't agree with the IBA's decision, saying, "Scientifically, this isn't a man fighting a woman." Khelif ended up winning a gold medal at the Olympics in Paris, after battling a series of protests from fellow players.
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In August, she filed a lawsuit against cyberbullying, alleging "aggravated cyber harassment" and naming notable figures such as J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk in her complaint.
