JK Rowling has joined calls for Olympic boxer Imane Khelif to be stripped of her gold medal, following the emergence of a reportedly leaked medical report suggesting the athlete is biologically male.
The alleged medical examination, said to have taken place during the 2023 World Championships, surfaced shortly after World Boxing announced that Khelif would be required to undergo sex screening to compete in future women’s events.
Rowling described the development as “a win for women.”
The 26-year-old boxer won a women’s gold medal representing Algeria at the Paris Games.
Khelif was allowed to compete in France despite World Boxing reportedly having had knowledge of the 2023 medical test for over a year. International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach had previously expressed doubts regarding the test’s legitimacy.
According to a document obtained by 3 Wire Sports through Telegraph Sport, the report states: “Chromosome analysis reveals male karyotype.”
Newly surfaced reports claim Imane Khelif failed a gender eligibility test in 2023.
JK Rowling, who has previously spoken out about Khelif’s case, described the development as ‘a win for women.’
The boxer has been at the center of controversy since reports surfaced of her alleged failed test in Paris.
J.K. Rowling, known for her outspoken views on gender and women’s rights, took to social media to share her reaction to the recent news.
“This is a victory for women, who won’t be subjected to physical harm in the ring at the hands of men,” the Harry Potter author wrote.
She continued, “If you understood the physical scrutiny women routinely endure, you’d realize that a cheek swab is no more intrusive than flossing. Got any more foolish questions? Send them my way.”
Broadcaster Piers Morgan also responded to the news on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “The biology-denying woke crowd mocked and shamed me for calling it outrageous and unsafe for Khelif to compete against women in the Olympics. I await their apology—but won’t be holding my breath.”
Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies echoed similar sentiments, posting: “When did we stop trusting our own eyes and instincts? Oh right—when we decided women’s sport didn’t matter anymore.”
Conservative commentator Riley Gaines weighed in as well, referring to Khelif using male pronouns and stating: “To everyone who insisted Imane Khelif was a woman just because his passport said so—you were wrong. We were right. Sincerely, people with eyes and honesty.”
The leaked medical test results were reportedly dated March 17, 2023—the same year the International Boxing Association (IBA), then the sport’s governing body, disqualified Khelif for not meeting gender eligibility criteria.
It’s a win for women because they won’t be battered to death in the ring by men.
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. https://t.co/Qa40hjn1CQ— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 2, 2025
Khelif, seen attending Bottega Veneta’s Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show in September, has firmly denied allegations questioning her gender identity.
The document reportedly originates from Dr Lal PathLabs in New Delhi, a laboratory accredited by the American College of Pathologists and certified by the International Organization for Standardization.
Journalist Alan Abrahamson, who first brought attention to Khelif’s alleged failed gender eligibility test at the Paris Games, initially published the report.
Mail Sport has reached out to Khelif’s representatives for comment.
Khelif has previously expressed her intention to defend her gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics in three years.
World Boxing holds some authority over Olympic boxing, having been announced as the provisional body responsible for testing at the Los Angeles Games. Under the new protocols, any competitor over 18 will be required to undergo PCR testing to determine their sex.
According to the governing body, the PCR test detects specific genetic material, with the presence of the SRY gene indicating the Y chromosome, a biological sex marker. Testing may be conducted using a nasal or mouth swab, saliva, or blood sample.
The policy on “Sex, Age and Weight” is designed to promote a safe and competitive environment, World Boxing said.
Additionally, World Boxing disclosed a letter sent to the Algerian Boxing Federation, stating that Khelif is barred from competing in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup or any World Boxing events until she completes sex testing.
Khelif earned a gold medal for Algeria in boxing at the Paris Olympic Games.
Since her victory, Khelif has appeared on several television programs defending herself.
A letter regarding her participation stated:
“Imane Khelif may not compete in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup, scheduled for June 5–10, 2025, or at any World Boxing event until she undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures.”
The letter continued:
“In accordance with World Boxing Statutes, amendments to Competition Rules are generally made by Congress. However, under special or emergency circumstances, the Executive Board has the authority to make immediate changes if a rule is deemed ineffective or evolving conditions require an update. In May 2025, the Executive Board exercised this authority to adopt new eligibility criteria for sex-specific boxing categories. These rules aim to protect athletes in combat sports, especially considering the physical risks involved in Olympic-style boxing.”
It further stated:
“Per World Boxing policy, ‘in the event an 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.’”
Khelif was not the only boxer sparking controversy at the Paris Games; Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting also won gold in women’s boxing despite having been banned by the IBA in 2023.
Broadcaster Piers Morgan previously commented on Khelif’s alleged gender ineligibility in November, following a leaked report published by the German outlet Bild claiming she was a “biological male.” Addressing his 8.8 million followers, he wrote:
“Confirmation of what some of us said at the time: Khelif is a biological man. The gold medal should now be stripped and awarded to the best actual woman.”
The legitimacy of the report remains uncertain. The Algerian Olympic Committee condemned the allegations as “unsubstantiated” and aimed “to tarnish the image of an athlete who has brought honor to our nation on the international stage.”
Piers Morgan, Sharron Davies, and Riley Gaines were among the first to react to the alleged test results.
3 Wire Sports published an alleged excerpt from the gender eligibility test that Khelif underwent.
The report, reportedly compiled in 2023, was a collaborative effort between French and Algerian endocrinologists from Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital in Paris and Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital in Algiers.
This unverified document alleges that Khelif exhibits male characteristics.
However, Jacques Young, an endocrinologist at Bicêtre Hospital who is said to have co-authored the report, told German outlet DW that he believes his name is being misused to spread false information.
Young also suggested that his involvement has been exploited to promote an anti-trans agenda, responding, “I think your statement perfectly reflects reality,” when asked if his name was being used for such purposes.
