Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has hit back at her former manager after he claimed she had retired from the sport. In a Facebook post, the Algerian athlete said she remains committed to her career and trains regularly between Algeria and Qatar.
Khelif's former manager, Nasser Yesfah, told French newspaper Nice-Matin on Wednesday that she had 'left the world of boxing'. He later clarified that he was only referring to her commitments in Nice, where she previously trained with the Nice Azur club.
Khelif criticised the remarks, writing: 'It is based solely on statements made by a person who no longer represents me in any way, and whom I consider to have betrayed my trust and my country with his false and malicious statements.' She added that she had never announced her retirement and is preparing for upcoming events.
The 26-year-old was at the centre of a gender eligibility controversy at the Paris Olympics last year, after being disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA). However, she was cleared by the International Olympic Committee and went on to win gold in her weight class.
Khelif had been due to compete in a World Boxing tournament in the Netherlands in June but opted to skip it after the governing body announced plans for mandatory sex testing. World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst later apologised for naming her in the announcement, saying her privacy should have been protected.
Khelif has repeatedly stated she was born a woman and has a long history in female boxing. In March, she said she intends to defend her title at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
