Martina Navratilova has demanded an apology after IBA chief Umar Kremlev recently called for Imane Khelif to return the gold medal the fighter won at the Paris Olympics last summer.
Khelif scooped the gong in controversial circumstances, having previously failed two gender tests at the World Championships.
Kremlev, who is president of the IBA, condemned the IOC for letting the 25-year-old compete at the Games in France despite those failed tests.
"The IOC is not fighting for the fairness in sport," he told the Daily Mail. "The IOC is giving away medals based on their political interests. Imane Khelif should be made to return the Olympic medal from Paris."
Martina Navratilova has demanded an apology after IBA chief Umar Kremlev recently called for Imane Khelif to return the gold medal the fighter won at the Paris Olympics last summer
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He then opened up on the tests while Khelif reportedly failed, saying: "The first test was carried out during the 2022 World Championships, after we noticed some suspicious, suspicious moments.
"We decided to test a group of athletes, not just one or two. Two of the results came back, let's say, abnormal.
"It was the first time we had encountered a situation like this, so we felt it was necessary to conduct a second round of testing to be absolutely sure before making such a serious decision.
"That second test was done in 2023 and confirmed the same findings as the first. Both tests showed XY chromosomes.
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"That does not meet the eligibility requirements for female boxing. After that, the athletes were disqualified, and of course, we informed the IOC about the situation."
Now, after sharing GB News' article on Kremlev's comments, Navratilova has demanded an apology.
"Looking forward to all the apologies here!!!!" wrote the tennis legend.
"All those who called us and most of all the opponents of Imane horrible names etc."
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Looking forward to all the apologies here!!!! All those who called us and most of all the opponents of Imane horrible names etc. https://t.co/tJ7klBkXIS
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) June 25, 2025
The next Olympics will take place in Los Angeles in 2028.
It will take place after US President Donald Trump decided to ban transgender women from competing against biological women.
Khelif isn't transgender, which is something that must be stressed. However, the boxer is alleged to have XY chromosomes - which only men have.
Kremlev, discussing Trump's stance on the matter, believes the President is right to introduce gender tests in sports going forward.
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He said: "As you know, Donald Trump signed an order stating that women's sport is for women and men's sport is for men.
"I'm absolutely confident that no one will be able to bypass this at the Olympic Games now, because the rules have become very strict.
"Everyone is copying us — they're conducting gender tests and are now being forced to do so.
"What we were calling for all along, the rest of the world is finally doing.
Imane Khelif sparked a gender row at the Olympics last summer when the boxer won gold
PA"They can't avoid it anymore, because the order has been signed — it's now law in the United States.
"There should be one rule that everyone follows. Gender testing before every event. That's the only way to make sure the fight is fair."
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