Imane Khelif stands on the brink of a monumental achievement. A victory over China’s Yang Liu later today would bring immense pride to her country. But perhaps, on a more poignant note, it will mean a lot to her personally. Despite being embroiled in a ‘gender-related’ controversy that nearly shattered her and her nation’s Olympic dreams, Khelif has demonstrated extraordinary resilience, overcoming each obstacle to reach the finals in the 66 kg. weight class.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) clarified its stance on Imane Khelif’s admission. Last year, the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified her from the World Championships. Her camp reportedly submitted proof that seems to have quelled much of the speculation surrounding her ‘gender identity’. It appears Imane Khelif may have gained unexpected support from an unlikely ally—former UFC fighter and now-well-known combat sports insider Chael Sonnen. He spoke at length about the controversy, shedding light on the misconceptions that might have fueled the debate and, more significantly, what the issue was not about.

Chael Sonnen: The Full Picture

Calling the entire situation an ‘incredible story’, Chael Sonnen first outlined the origins of the controversy. “The XY chromosome. Yes! The XY chromosome; it’s what that athlete possesses, and therefore, biologically, that is a male competing against the females,” he began by pointing out the thought process of many throughout the world.

But he emphasized it categorically: “That is not true, full stop.” He recounted how he was basically responding to an X post where someone questioned Imane Khelif’s participation. The user reportedly slammed the IOC. Why did they go ahead with Khelif’s participation? The IBA had conducted a ‘genetic test’ that identified her as a male. The boxing body tried to prevent her participation, but the IOC overruled it. One his show, Chael Sonnen explained, “The Algerian boxer did a test that came back stating she had the XY chromosome, which is biologically a male; that’s not true; that test was not done; the IBA has never said that test was done.”

According to Sonnen, the IBA discovered ‘something’ in Imane Khelif’s blood work that ‘they believed’ could provide an unfair advantage. “No one ever stated that it was a genetic test [for] chromosome XY,” he asserted. Hence, probably it could have been interpreted as a ‘genetic test’ showing the particular athlete had XY chromosomes. Given that the said chromosomes are associated with males, therefore, participation should be in the men’s division.

Chael Sonnen condemned how one could alter a mere buzz to suit their convenient narratives. He reiterated that the IBA stated that they had conducted a test. However, they had only found ‘something’. It led them to prevent Imane Khelif from participating in the Olympics. But to no avail, as most followers know. Later, Chael Sonnen spoke from the athletes’ perspective, especially how such controversies might jeopardize their lifelong efforts and dreams.

Give some consideration

Highlighting the sacrifices athletes like Imane Khelif make, he said, “I don’t imagine she was Miss Popular in school… I don’t imagine a lot of nice things happened to her…this doesn’t pay; it’s a pursuit of a dream…because you have a calling that it helps you to represent your country.” Chael Sonnen reflected on what a victory could mean for Khelif. He shared how, in all probability, despite her achievements, she may still go unrecognized.

Sonnen urged everyone to empathize with her situation and to consider the emotional toll of hearing false reports about her ‘gender identity’ after all she has endured to bring honor to her country. “This is such a terrible thing for her to have said about her, and it’s not true; there is no test… the claim that that boxer submitted a genetic test that came back chromosome XY that claim in and of itself is not true to further that the IBA who started this whole thing never said it was true; they said that they found something,” he concluded.

Per available reports, several well-known personalities who previously questioned Imane Khelif’s Olympic participation have since apologized for their mistaken assumptions.

What is your response to Chael Sonnen’s expert take on the whole controversy surrounding Imane Khelif competing at the Paris Olympics?