A recent boxing match from the Paris Olympics 2024 has signalled a lot of misinformation dividing people. An internet storm first broke out when Algeria’s Imane Khelif won against Italy’s Angela Carini. Khelif’s yet another groundbreaking victory against Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand in the semifinal round echoed the previous debate. Some believe Imane Khelif is a male, while others attribute the incident to elevated testosterone levels in women. But do you know what exactly happened when the fire first broke out?

Imane-Khelif, an Algerian ‘female’ boxer and Angela Carini, the opposing Italian female boxer, participated in the Paris Olympic Games 2024. The latter ended the match within 46 seconds eventually leading to Khelif’s win. Carini justified her defeat and said “I’m used to suffering. I’ve never taken a punch like that, it’s impossible to continue.” This started a hate campaign against a potential athlete who committed the grave mistake of playing by the rules. 

Genetic Mark-Up Turns Into A Gender Controversy

Post Carini’s defeat, the internet turned transphobic to the extent of referring to Khelif as a male or a transgender. Her absence in the Women’s World Championship 2023 only fuelled the hate train as she was considered more competitive than her counterparts. But here’s how Mark Adams, spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), cleared the air. He clarified that Khelif was “born female, was registered female, lived her life as a female, boxed as a female, has a female passport. This is not a transgender case.” Then what is it exactly?

Imane Khelif is not the only example of elevated testosterone levels in women. Caster Semenya, a South African middle-distance runner, and Dutee Chand, an Indian sprinter, among others, have also faced backlash in the past due to similar reasons. High testosterone levels, the primary male hormone, can’t increase an athlete’s overall performance. Their strength and endurance depend on their training and practice. High testosterone levels make a girl special, and it definitely doesn’t change a person’s gender.

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How to deal with elevated testosterone in women?

When there is a higher level of testosterone in women, it leads to the development of evident male physical characteristics. There can be multiple causes of high testosterone in women. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Hirsutism, and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia are some of the primary causes of increased testosterone levels in females. You need to consult a doctor if symptoms remain unregulated for a long time.

If you suspect you have elevated testosterone, here are some of the major symptoms that you can look out for.

• Acne
• Increased body or facial hair
• Deepened voice
• Thinning of hair
• Enlarged clitoris
• Shrinking breast size
• Mood swings
• Increased muscle mass
• Irregular menstrual cycles

While there are specific treatments to deal with unwanted hair growth and exceeding energy levels, lifestyle changes and regular medications are also advisable. However, the key medicine is ‘acceptance and love for oneself’. You need to combat every opponent who wants to disappoint you, just like Imane Khelif did with society.  Greater strength shouldn’t accompany greater shame, only immense support. That said, it still doesn’t change your gender; you’re still a woman with a different body mechanism.

As for Imane Khelif, she won a fair game giving an ‘equal fight’ and people should be proud of her!

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