The IBA cited her failure to meet gender eligibility tests, but has not specified the nature of these tests, sparking rumours that Khelif is transgender and biologically male. She has been falsely accused of being transgender, despite living her entire life as a woman and having a long-standing career in women’s boxing. "Many women can have testosterone which is in what would be called 'male levels' and still be women and still compete as women. Van Der Vorst and other members of his organization are in Paris as observers — and, occasionally, recruiters of additional nations to join the only governing body with a chance of keeping boxing in the Olympic program when the IOC decides the sport’s fate in early 2025. The governing body for track and field also last year tightened rules on athletes with differences in sex development. Van Der Vorst still strongly disagrees with critics of the IOC’s handling of the Olympic tournament, specifically the eligibility of women’s boxers Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan. So does boxing really increase your levels of testosterone? Research shows resting seconds between sets spikes testosterone more than longer breaks. If you want to maximize your testosterone boost during workouts, keeping rest periods short is key. Keep in mind, individual factors like age and body composition affect how your hormones respond. This intensity drives the surge in hormones, making your workouts more effective at stimulating testosterone release compared to lower-intensity activities. High-intensity sessions, like those with explosive bursts and short rests, trigger noticeable testosterone surges. Your source for boxing news, fight previews, interviews, and insider coverage since 1997. Khelif, an Algerian who won a boxing gold medal, confirmed to French outlet L’Équipe that she has a female phenotype but also the SRY gene, which is correlated with males. The IOC defended Khelif's eligibility amid the controversy, releasing a statement before the Olympics that said "every person has the right to practice sport without discrimination." "We got the test results that they allowed us to take themselves and these tests show they have a high level of testosterone like a man," Kremlev said through a translator. These habits help naturally maintain ideal hormone levels during your training. While supplements can boost testosterone, focus on a balanced diet, good sleep, and stress management. This maximizes your testosterone boost during a match and improves your overall performance in the ring. You’ll notice that boxing competition nerves trigger a surge of competition adrenaline, activating your fight or flight response. This lets you train harder and longer, which can elevate testosterone temporarily. The Algerian stressed athletes endure immense pressure, and invasive biological speculation only worsens the mental burden. According to the boxer, the association harbored deep political bias and deliberately attempted to ruin a lifelong Olympic dream. Khelif strongly rejected any transgender classification, explicitly clarifying the situation involved natural biological traits rather than gender transition. Throughout the entire controversy, Khelif consistently maintained a definitive, unwavering stance on gender. Following the recent policy reversal by the IOC, recalling Khelif’s exact statements regarding the gruelling ordeal provides crucial context for understanding the human element behind complex sporting regulations.
