Imane Khelif's rivals have made feelings clear about banned fighter competing at Olympics

Imane Khelif's rivals in the women's boxing world have already made their feelings clear on the situation which has dominated the sport.

Representing Algeria, Khelif won gold in the women's 66kg competition at the Olympics and made Angela Carini of Italy to quit just 46 seconds into their fight after two brutal punches.

Afterwards, Carini gave an interview where she said she withdrew herself from the bout in order to "preserve my life" and a major storm focusing on fighter's gender ensued.

Khelif had been banned from competing in the World Championships in New Delhi, India by the IBA after failing unspecified gender tests and president Umar Kremlev claiming she had XY (male) chromosomes.

With the governing body stripped of its status, the Paris Boxing Unit (PBU) were brought in by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) to oversee the competition.

It mean that Khelif, who was repeatedly stressed that she was a woman, was allowed to compete based on having a female passport.

Such controversy and backlash meant that the IOC had to make a series of statements on Khelif's inclusion and after her father weighed in, she proceeded to file a complaint with Paris prosecutors for "aggravated online harassment".

Imane Khelif is banned from participating in World Boxing events. Image: Getty

However, at the height of the controversy, boxing expert Steve Bunce claimed that not all female fighters were opposed to the 26-year-old's participation as many of Khelif's opponents had no issue with her presence in women's competition.

"What's interesting is in the build up to the fight, some of her old opponents, good fighters, world champions and European champions, have said [Khelif] is not a cheat," he told the BBC.

Khelif has competed at two Olympic events and harbours hopes of claiming another Gold medal at Los Angeles in 2028.

World Boxing have announced ban for Imane Khelif

However, World Boxing has been given provisional status by the IOC to govern the sport in LA and Khelif does not meet the criteria to compete as it stands.

World Boxing have banned Khelif from participating in the women’s category until she provides proof of being biologically female.

A letter sent to the Algerian Boxing Association said: "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."

The test is a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) which can "detect specific genetic material" through a nasal/mouth swab, saliva or blood and Khelif would require the absence of Y chromosome genetic material to be given the all-clear.

She has already expressed an interest in turning professional, stating she has "many offers" to do so.