Imane Khelif has forcefully rejected retirement rumours, launching a scathing attack on former representative who made the claims.
The 26-year-old took to Facebook on Wednesday to dismiss reports of retirement as "false", directly contradicting statements attributed to ex-manager Nasser Yesfah in French media.
"I would like to make it clear to the public that the reports of my retirement from boxing are false," Khelif wrote, accusing Yesfah of "betraying the trust and the country with his false and malicious statements".
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Imane Khelif
Khelif emphasised that Yesfah "no longer represents me in any way" following his comments to Nice Matin newspaper.
The boxer firmly stated ongoing dedication to the sport, despite a ruling that forces boxers to undergo mandatory sex testing before boxing events.
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"I have never announced my retirement from boxing. I remain committed to my sporting career, I train regularly and I maintain my physical condition between Algeria and Qatar in preparation for upcoming events," the Algerian declared in her social media post.
The publication of retirement rumours was "intended solely to disrupt and damage my sporting and professional career", Khelif added, dismissing the speculation as malicious.
Despite the 26-year-old's continued commitment to boxing, Khelif will not participate in the World Championships scheduled for Liverpool from 4-14 September, with Algeria sending an alternative representative.
Khelif's absence follows World Boxing's implementation of mandatory genetic screening for all competitors, requiring PCR tests or equivalent medical examinations to determine eligibility.
The new regulations stipulate that individuals identified as male at birth possessing a Y chromosome, or those who have undergone male androgenisation, cannot compete in women's categories.
World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst stated the organisation aims to balance inclusivity with "safety and competitiveness fairness" in the combat sport, describing these as fundamental principles guiding the policy's development.
Khelif secured gold in the women's 66kg division at Paris 2024, but the victory was overshadowed by eligibility disputes after the boxer and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting had been barred from the 2023 World Championships by the IBA.
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Imane Khelif responded to claims from her former manager on Facebook
|The former governing body claimed both athletes failed gender eligibility tests, though the International Olympic Committee cleared them to compete in Paris, where both claimed gold medals.
The Algerian fighter has not competed since that Olympic triumph and previously withdrew from a World Boxing tournament in June shortly after the organisation announced its sex testing plans.
In March, Khelif expressed intentions to defend the 2024 title at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
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