Imane Khelif has already made her feelings clear on competing at the 2028 Olympics for second gold medal amid World Boxing ban
Algerian boxing star Imane Khelif has already spoken about her potential participation in the 2028 Olympics amid her World Boxing ban.
This week, it was stated that World Boxing will be the provisional organisation for the 2028 Olympics and announced that the 26-year-old is banned from competing in future women's events unless she provides proof that she is a female.
A statement read: "Imane Khelif may not compete in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup or in any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes genetic screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures."
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Khelif won the gold medal during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in the 66kg division.
Back in April, Khelif stated that she intends to take part in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and aims to win the gold medal again.
As reported by The Times, she said: "I’m focused on achieving a second Olympic gold in 2028, as well as preparing for the transition to professional. There’s no rush for the latter.
"What I want is to do a perfect job, to arrive in better shape than I did in Paris, given that I now have greater mental and physical balance. For the transition to professional, I’ll be waiting for a good contract, and the best offer will convince me."
Khelif also spoke about the need to adapt to the change in weight classes.
She added: "With the change in weight classes, I have to compete at 70kg.
"In Paris I won at 66kg, but I don’t think this increase will be difficult for me. I’m 1.80m tall and I’m studying with the team how to best adapt to the new division."
Recently, it was revealed that despite the ban, Khelif's gold medal is safe.
Doraine Lambelet Coleman, a Thomas L. Perkins Distinguished Professor of Laws at Duke Law School, told Newsweek over email: "The IOC would not revoke medals won by athletes who were eligible according to the rules it set for the boxing competition in Paris.
"Unlike the eligibility rules set by the IBA and now WB, those rules did not require competitors to be biologically female."
Marcus Chan