The head of the International Boxing Association has demanded that Olympic champion Imane Khelif return the gold medal won at last year's Games following the IOC's announcement of new measures to protect the female category in sport.
Umar Kremlev, the IBA boss, told SunSport that "the medal should be returned to the real owner, the real female owner" after new IOC president Kirsty Coventry revealed plans for a working group to safeguard women's competitions.
The 46-year-old's intervention comes as World Boxing, which has replaced the Russia-funded IBA, introduced mandatory sex tests for competitors.
Khelif, 26, secured the women's 66kg division gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics after defeating four opponents.
Imane Khelif won a gold medal at the last Olympic games GETTY However, the Algerian boxer had been banned from the IBA's 2023 world championships following a chromosome test, alongside Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting.
The IBA, which lost its IOC recognition in 2023 over corruption allegations, disclosed this information during Khelif's controversial Olympic campaign last summer.
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Despite the new policies announced by Coventry to protect the female category at future games, Khelif has not been ordered to return the medal.
It appears unlikely that the boxer will be permitted to defend the 26-year-old's title at the 2028 Olympics.
Kremlev expressed his dissatisfaction with the current situation, stating: "No, I am not satisfied.
"I truly believe that a medal should be truly deserved.
"We must protect athletes and give them the best conditions."
The IBA chief emphasised his commitment to transparency, adding: "I am here for truth, transparency and openness.
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Imane Khelif was permitted to take part in the Paris Olympics despite controversy surrounding her involvementGETTY"And now the truth has been revealed."
He insisted that boxing must maintain fairness, declaring: "There should be no unfair fights in boxing and the international federations should take care of their athletes."
Kremlev reiterated his position that the medal rightfully belongs elsewhere, maintaining it should go to "the real female owner."
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