Khaberni - The Algerian boxer, Iman Khalif, the Olympic champion, expressed her readiness to undergo a biological sex test by the global governing body for boxing before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Khalif told "L'Equipe" on Thursday: “I am not transgender. Being different is natural for me. I am simply this way. I haven't done anything to change the way nature created me.”
She added: "So I am not scared. I must undergo testing for the upcoming championships, I will do this."
The boxer said that she had been undergoing hormone therapy in preparation for the Paris Olympic Games.
Khalif stated: "I have female hormones. People don't know this, but I actually lowered my testosterone levels for the competitions. I am surrounded by doctors, under expert supervision, and have undergone hormonal treatments to lower my testosterone levels."
She added: "For the qualifying championship for the Paris Olympics, held in Dakar, I reduced my testosterone levels to zero."
Iman Khalif also responded to critical statements made by US President Donald Trump about her.
She said: "I am not transgender, I am a girl. I was raised as a girl, grew up as a girl, and people in my village always know me as a girl. I respect him if he respects the truth."
Khalif confirmed that she intends to participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics even though all competitions will be at a professional level.
She said: "Just because I fight as a professional does not mean I am giving up on the 2028 Olympics. Absolutely not. I want to represent Algeria in boxing at the Olympics in Los Angeles and become the first Algerian athlete in history to retain her Olympic title."
