Fuming over news reports claiming that test results have confirmed her to be male, Imane Khelif, whose gender triggered controversy in Olympic boxing, has initiated legal action against those who allegedly defamed her.

The Algerian boxer won the Olympic gold medal for women boxing notwithstanding questions aired about her gender.

French news outlets reported last week that tests results about Imane’s gender had been leaked and it confirmed that he has XY chromosomes, making him a male.

Immediately after the news spread, Khelif filed a complaint before the French legal system over onlilne abuse and harassment she suffered during the Games.

She is filing more complaints over the published news reports claiming that she was really a man.

The International Olympic Committee has neither confirmed nor denied the veracity of the alleged laboratory test findings on Khelif’s gender.

However, the IOC acknowledged her decision to file legal actiona gainst “individuals who commented on her situation during the Olympic Games Paris 2024.”

“The IOC will not comment while legal action is ongoing, or on media reports about unverified documents whose origin cannot be confirmed,” the Olympics body stated.

It also noted that Imane has been competing in women’s boxing “for many years”, including the Tokyo Games.

It will be recalled that Italian fighter Angela Carini gave up in the middle of her bout with Imane, saying that she “had never felt a punch like this.”

Khelif’s one-sided victory triggered talks that she is not a real woman.