Imane Khelif, Olympic boxing winner, has rejected all speculation about her retirement.
The 26-year-old strongly criticised claims made by her former manager and reassured her devotion to the sport. The Algerian veteran, who created remarkable history by winning gold at the Paris Olympics, clarified that she remains fully committed to her career and is actively getting ready for future matches.
The row started after Khelif’s former manager, Nasser Yesfah, said in an interview that Khelif had “left the boxing world.”
His remarks ignited widespread speculation about the athlete’s future, especially since she has not competed since her Olympic triumph. However, Yesfah later clarified that he was only referring to her commitments in the city of Nice, where she previously trained at the Nice Azur club, and not to her overall sporting career.
Khelif, who has faced intense scrutiny over her eligibility in women’s boxing, responded with a strongly worded statement on social media. “It is based solely on statements made by a person who no longer represents me in any way, and whom I consider to have betrayed my trust and my country with his false and malicious statements,” she wrote on Facebook.
“I have never announced my retirement from boxing. I remain committed to my sporting career, training regularly and maintaining my physical fitness between Algeria and Qatar in preparation for upcoming events. The publication of such rumours is intended solely to disrupt and damage my sporting and professional career,” she added.
Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting were at the centre of controversy during the 2023 World Championships when the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified them following sex chromosome tests. Both athletes denied any wrongdoing and were later cleared by the International Olympic Committee to compete at the Paris Games, where they silenced critics by winning gold in their respective weight categories.
Despite her Olympic success, Khelif has chosen not to compete since Paris. She was expected to participate in a World Boxing tournament in the Netherlands in June but withdrew after the governing body initially proposed mandatory sex testing for all competitors. The announcement, which explicitly named Khelif, drew backlash from athletes and sporting authorities alike.
World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst later apologised, admitting that her privacy should have been respected. The controversy underscored the challenges Khelif continues to face as a public figure and elite athlete navigating sensitive debates over gender and eligibility in sports.
Khelif has repeatedly emphasised that she was born a woman and has a long record of competing successfully in women’s categories. Earlier this year, she confirmed her long-term ambitions, declaring her intention to defend her Olympic crown at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
For now, her focus remains on training and preparing for upcoming events, despite the noise surrounding her career. By rejecting rumours of her retirement, Khelif has reinforced her determination to remain one of boxing’s leading figures and a powerful symbol of resilience against adversity.
2023 – World Championships Controversy Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting were disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after sex chromosome tests. The decision sparked global debate on eligibility in women’s sport.
2024 – Paris Olympics Triumph Cleared by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to compete, Khelif silenced critics by winning gold in her weight class. Lin Yu-ting also clinched gold, marking a symbolic victory for both athletes.
June 2025 – Tournament Withdrawal Scheduled to compete in a World Boxing event in the Netherlands, Khelif opted out after the governing body announced plans for mandatory sex testing. The proposal, which publicly named her, drew heavy criticism.
August 2025 – Retirement Rumours Her former manager claimed she had “left the world of boxing.” Khelif slammed the remarks as “false and malicious,” reaffirming her commitment to the sport.
Future – Los Angeles 2028 Khelif has vowed to defend her Olympic title at the next Games.
