I did a lot of soul-searching when writing this article about the Christian approach to Gender Politics — especially in relation to the boxing fiasco at the Paris Olympics. Absolutely, we must be sensitive to those with dysphoria, rare endocrine problems, etc. but that does not mean that some get an inordinate physical advantage or ‘carte blanche’ over other’s rights.
My opinion was clarified after seeing a specific & deliberate action taken by Khelif after the fight. Also, there is evidence that Khelif now identifies as male in general life.
The Issue
Italian boxer Angela Carini fought Algerian Imane Khelif in an early round of Women’s Boxing at the Paris Olympics last week. It is said that Khelif was incorrectly observed to be female at birth and so was raised female.
Carini lasted 46 seconds in the ring. She spoke afterwards and said that she had “never been punched so hard in her career” and was suspected to have a broken nose.
Khelif
Khelif clearly has had normal male musculoskeletal [MSK] development. It is reported that Khelif has XY sex chromosomes (male) and adult male levels of testosterone. Some speculate that Khelif has a 46 chromosome, XY Disorder of Sex Development [DSD.]
DSD’s have a spectrum of presentation, but some have normal male MSK development with ambiguous or female external genitalia.
International Boxing Association [IBA]
The IBA did not specify which test/s were performed.
Carole Hooven
Carole is an expert on testosterone and has authored a book called “T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone That Dominates and Divides Us.” (Hooven’s bio is HERE.)
Hooven notes that XY DSD 5-alpha reductase deficiency (5-ARD) is one condition which fits with all the information known about Imane Khelif. Below are portions of her very lengthy post on X / Twitter:
First: People living with DSDs should be treated with compassion and understanding, and receive any heath care they need. These can be challenging conditions for individuals and their families. But when male athletes have DSDs that give them an advantage over females, and they compete in the female category, this raises concerns about safety and fairness, and forces discussion of the relevant physical traits.
Athletes with XY DSDs who have testes (usually internal), XY sex chromosomes, male-typical levels of testosterone, and functional androgen receptors are often described as females with "hyperandrogenism," i.e., abnormally high levels of testosterone. They experience physical benefits of this high testosterone during puberty, which translate into athletic advantages over females. The issue for sports is that athletes with the XY DSD 5-alpha reductase deficiency (5-ARD), may be socialized as female, may be legally female, and may live and identify as female; but they are male.
International Olympic Committee [IOC]
(click image then click on X video link)
Just listen to Kirsty Burrows, Head of the Safe Sports Unit, IOC. After spouting that the Paris Olympics would be the safest ever for contestants, the IOC has allowed 2 XY boxers to fight in the women’s category. (Women have XX sex-chromosomes; men are XY.)
In 2021, following a two-year consultation process, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released the “IOC Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations.”
Obviously DEI has won over the IOC. [“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion]
The Decider
After being announced as the winner of the fight, Khelif moved to Carini and intentionally touched her on the breast. The third video link I have found shows this below. (Two previous video’s have been removed by the IOC — obviously on-line evidence is being removed the same way as the “Last Supper” video of the Opening Ceremony.)
In case the video is taken down, a still image is below — for which I claim legal use under “Fair Use” legislation.
(Click image to link to X: if it does not start automatically, then click on video link.)
(Still photo taken from the video)
This shows the intentional touch of Carini’s breast without consent. At best, this is intimidation and/or sexual harassment. At worst, it is sexual assault.
Believe your own eyes — Khelif presents as male in his adult life.
No Hijab
Conclusion
Absolutely we must be sensitive to those with gender dysphoria, ambiguous sexual development or endocrine abnormalities, etc. We must also try to protect people from grievous physical & emotional harm, especially in sports.
Thankfully, Carini escaped without serious physical injury though the emotional scars of this episode are likely to stay with her forever.
Yes, we may need to develop new categories in sports, but one thing is clear. Men should not compete in women’s sports, especially not in women’s contact sports.
Kevin Hay
You can follow Kevin on 𝕏 ( Twitter / Twi𝕏 ) @ kevinhay77