The International Boxing Association, which banned Khelif from last year’s world championships on the basis of its own test results, had separately concluded that the boxer’s DNA was “that of a male, consisting of XY chromosomes”.
‘The war against me has had a negative impact’
Khelif, however, maintains she is a woman, after her father produced her birth certificate which states she was born female.
“My parents have seen many fake images,” she said in her television appearance.
“The war against me through social media has had a negative impact. We need to understand who the people are who have done these things.
“Those who have done it are not people of substance... Any person who is exposed to this bullying and hatred finds it more difficult to win.
“But I have learned a lot from this experience. The more a person desires success, the easier it is to achieve it.”
Khelif won gold in the women’s welterweight event. Earlier this month, a report in French magazine Le Correspondant alleged that the 25-year-old has “male characteristics” and XY chromosomes, which Khelif has repeatedly denied.
A spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee said: “We understand that Imane Khelif has taken legal action against individuals who commented on her situation during Paris 2024, and is also preparing a lawsuit in response to the latest reporting.
“The IOC will not comment while legal action is ongoing, or on media reports about unverified documents whose origin cannot be confirmed.”
‘I have nothing against Carini’
On the Lo Stato Delle Cose show, Khelif was asked about comments made against her in Italy. She said: ‘I didn’t know the statements of President Meloni, but I saw that many politicians and presidents speak without any real source.”
The first-round bout with Carini became a global talking point after Khelif felled her opponent with two punches in the opening round.
But Khelif insisted that Carini “is and will remain a friend”. “I have nothing against Angela Carini,” she said. “She is a boxer, a young girl. I have nothing against the people who put pressure on her to behave that way. I don’t think she behaved that way of her own free will.”
Khelif was one of two boxers, along with Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, who became embroiled in controversy during the Paris Games after the IBA disqualified both from the amateur world championships last year for what it claimed were failed gender eligibility tests.
But both were allowed to compete at the Olympics after the IOC seized control of boxing regulations at the Games because of past corruption within the IBA.
