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Imane Khelif of Algeria has undeniably male testosterone levels but was reportedly born female. Her recent victory against Italy’s Angela Carini at the 2024 Olympics was nothing short of controversial.

Carini withdrew from the bout after just 46 seconds, citing a need to “preserve her life” and stating she had “never been hit so hard.” The scandal quickly erupted, drawing attention to the broader issue of gender eligibility in sports.

The participation of both Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting from Chinese Taipei has invited intense scrutiny. 

Lin Yu-Ting has been making waves in the women’s featherweight category, winning her opening bout against Sitora Turdibekova with a unanimous decision. She advanced to the quarterfinals with scores of 29-28 and four of 30-27, setting up a clash against Bulgaria's Svetlana Staneva.

UPDATE: In a previous article Trans Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif Wins Women’s Boxing Match at the 2024 Paris Olympics - USA Herald Khelif was mistakenly identified as trans. 

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Male Testosterone Levels Found

Both fighters were disqualified from the International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships last year after failing to meet gender eligibility criteria. In March 2023, Yu-Ting and Khelif were banned from IBA boxing for failing gender tests. Yu-Ting even had her World Championship bronze medal stripped.

According to online reports, neither Yu-Ting nor Khelif are transgender; they were born female. But testing revealed that both have DNA containing XY chromosomes, typically associated with males, rather than the XX chromosomes usually associated with females. 

This results in testosterone levels similar to that of men, who can punch up to 2.6 times harder than women. Neither fighter has contested these test results.

Boxers Lin Yu-Ting and Imane Khelif are both being allowed to compete as female athletes in the 2024 Olympics, despite their expulsion from the IBA. This decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been contentious, sparking a heated debate among sports enthusiasts and officials alike.

Complicated Debate

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly commented on the issue, stating, “Keep men out of women’s sports.” His comments have added fuel to the fire, highlighting the complexities of the ongoing debate.

Past Olympians have also voiced their opinions. Nicola Adams, the 2012 women’s flyweight gold medalist, has called for the disqualification of Khelif and Yu-Ting but emphasized her support for Angela Carini and Sitora Turdibekova has “nothing to do with transgender” issues.

As the 2024 Olympics unfold, the debate surrounding male testosterone levels in female athletes continues to be a hot topic, challenging traditional notions of gender and sportsmanship.