Imane Khelif Announces Retirement from Boxing

Imane Khelif, the 23-year-old Algerian boxer who won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 66 kg category, has announced her retirement from active competition. Her decision comes after a period of intense discussions regarding her participation in the Games, due to reactions concerning her testosterone levels and hyperandrogenism.

Despite her exclusion from the World Boxing Association in 2023, Khelif competed in Paris, winning the final against China's Liu Yang. Her latest appearance caused a stir, as a photo posted on social media showed her with a different image than the one the public was used to.

In a post on Instagram, Khelif mentioned that she is going through a "difficult phase" and thanked those who still believe in her. According to her former manager, Nacer Yesfah, Khelif has distanced herself from the world of boxing. In the last year, the athlete continued her training in Algeria and Qatar, while participating in competitions in Singapore without securing a professional contract.

Her presence at events was still accompanied by disputes, such as her absence from the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands, due to mandatory gender tests. After a career with successes and challenges, Imane Khelif has decided to retire from boxing.