Olympic committee's stance on Imane Khelif's 'failed gender tests' is clear despite new timeline revelation

The International Olympic Committee [IOC] has already given its stance on the Imane Khelif gender test dispute as controversy with the International Boxing Association [IBA] intensifies.

Khelif secured the gold medal in the women's 66kg boxing category last year when the 2024 Olympic Games took place in France's capital city of Paris.

While winning her weight class comfortably, questions and debate arose around her eligibility to participate in the Games as a woman after the IBA - which was stripped of running the 2024 boxing event by the IOC - claimed she had failed what it labels gender eligibility tests that took place at the previous World Championships.

The IOC took control of the boxing for the 2024 Games, where eligibility relied on the sex mentioned on an athlete's passport.

This week, IBA President Umar Kremlev stoked the fire once again after demanding Khelif return her medal. He also stated that she had failed two rounds of gender tests prior to the Olympics.

Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships because of the results, with Kremlev revealing this week she was given 21 days to appeal the decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS].

Imane Khelif has faced a lot of heat in recent months [Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images]

But despite everything the IBA has said, the IOC has not recognised the body's findings. Spokesman Mark Adams previously said: "Those tests are not legitimate tests. The tests themselves, the process of the tests, the ad hoc nature of the tests are not legitimate.

"The testing, the method of the testing, the idea of the testing, which happened kind of overnight. None of it is legitimate and this does not deserve any response."

The IOC suspended its recognition of IBA in 2023 after recommendation from the Executive Board. This led to IBA not being involved in the running of boxing at the Paris Olympics.

Kremlev criticised former IOC President Thomas Bach and his leadership of the organisation that led to the huge controversy.

In his interview with Mail Sport, Kremlev said: "Thomas Bach has always put politics to the podium, not the athletes who should be there in fact. And that's why a lot of sponsors have refused working the IOC further, because they are violating sports principles.

"Thomas Bach is leaving his position and running away like a rat."

SPORTbible approached the IOC for fresh comment after Kremlev's new comments.

Khelif is proud of her gold (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

World Boxing and their new gender tests

After almost two years, IOC finally recognised World Boxing as the governing body of the sport in March 2025.

Since getting its approval the organisation has already introduced a strong measure of bringing mandatory testing of male and female athletes.

In its official statement World Boxing said: "The introduction of mandatory testing will be part of a new policy on “Sex, Age and Weight” to ensure the safety of all participants and deliver a competitive level playing field for men and women."

As per the new rules, Khelif will only be allowed to compete in women's boxing events if she proves that she is biologically a female.

The statement by World Boxing had addressed her issue individually, but the organisation later apologised for doing so.