JK Rowling calls to strip Imane Khelif’s Olympic gold after lab report claims boxer is biologically male

LONDON, ENGLAND: JK Rowling is leading the charge against Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, whose eligibility to compete in women’s events has come under fire after a leaked medical document suggested Khelif is biologically male.

“It’s a win for women,” the Harry Potter author declared on X. “Because they won’t be battered to death in the ring by men."

JK Rowling breaks silence on Imane Khelif's 'biological male' report

“If you had any idea what physical tests women go through routinely in their lives you’d know a cheek swab is no bigger deal than flossing your teeth. Any more moronic questions, wing them over," JK Rowling added.

Khelif, 26, snagged gold in the women’s division at the Paris Games while repping Algeria. But a leaked 2023 medical report seen by the Telegraph via 3 Wire Sports reportedly found that the boxer's "chromosome analysis reveals male karyotype".

Others react to the bombshell revelation

JK Rowling isn’t the only one with something to say. Broadcaster Piers Morgan also took to social media to sound off at critics who once slammed him for questioning Imane Khelif’s participation.

“The biology-denying woke brigade abused and shamed me for saying it was outrageous and dangerous for Khelif to be beating up women at the Olympics,” he wrote on X. “I’m ready for their apology, but won’t hold my breath.”

Conservative activist Riley Gaines used male pronouns to describe Khelif. “To all the people that insisted Imane Khelif was a woman because his passport said so. You were wrong. We were right. Sincerely, People with functioning eyes and a shred of honesty," she offered.

Former Olympian Sharron Davies chimed in, “When did we stop believing in our eyes & gut! Oh yeah when we decided women’s sport didn’t matter…”

The conservative account Libs of TikTok added, "When we said Khelif is a male, the Democrats and media propagandists rushed to defend him and said we were lying. We were right. I won’t hold my breath waiting for an apology or correction…"

World Boxing announces eligibility criteria changes

How Imane Khelif got to compete in Paris at all is the million-dollar question. Especially considering that the test in question dates back to March 17, 2023, the same year Khelif was disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) for “failing gender eligibility tests”.

The leaked report came from Dr Lal PathLabs in New Delhi, a well-known lab accredited by the American College of Pathologists and certified by the International Organisation for Standardisation.

It was originally published by journalist Alan Abrahamson, the same reporter who previously blew the whistle on Khelif’s alleged failed gender test at the Paris Games.

World Boxing, the body that took over from IBA, is now tightening the reins ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics. They’ve rolled out strict sex screening policies, stating that anyone over 18 must undergo PCR testing to confirm their biological sex.

The test will search for the SRY gene, which reveals the presence of a Y chromosome—a marker for biological maleness. The test sample is a simple cheek swab, saliva, or blood draw.

This is reportedly part of a new policy on “Sex, Age, and Weight,” meant to create a safe and competitive environment in the ring.

No fight until Imane Khelif tests

Imane Khelif’s future in the sport now hangs in the balance. In a letter to the Algerian Boxing Federation, World Boxing clarified that until Khelif completes genetic sex screening, she’s out of the ring.

“Imane Khelif may not participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup, 5–10 June 2025 and any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures,” the letter read.

They added that while rules are normally changed through Congress, “under special or emergency circumstances, the World Boxing Executive Board holds the authority to make immediate amendments when a rule is deemed no longer functional or when evolving conditions necessitate a change.”

In May, that’s exactly what they did—rolling out new eligibility criteria with a focus on keeping combat sports fair and safe for everyone involved.

“Please be advised that, per World Boxing policy, ‘…in the event the athlete’s sex certification is challenged by the athlete’s federation or by World Boxing, the athlete shall be ineligible to compete until the dispute is resolved…’” the governing body concluded.

It's worth noting that Khelif wasn’t the only name sparking controversy in Paris. Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting also raised eyebrows after taking home gold in women’s boxing, despite being banned by the IBA in 2023.

Khelif has previously revealed plans to defend her gold in Los Angeles—but may never get the chance to step into the ring again unless she clears World Boxing’s new screening requirements.