Laura Woods has responded to a ‘leaked’ report which claims that Olympics gender row boxer Imane Khelif is a biological man, three months after the TNT Sports presenter revealed she had suffered online abuse and threats for questioning ‘discrepancies’ in the fighter’s test results.
Khelif and Taiwan boxer Lin Yu-ting were at the centre of a ‘gender row’ controversy at the Olympics after both were given the green light to compete despite failing the IBA’s gender eligibility tests at last year’s world championships.
Both boxers shrugged off criticism and went all the way to winning top Olympic gongs in their respective weight categories as their participation was defended by IOC president Thomas Bach.
However, the issue over Khelif’s credibility in winning women’s gold at the Olympics has now been thrust back into the spotlight following an apparently leaked excerpt from a report, first reported by Bild, that claims Khelif is a ‘biological male’ – though it remains unclear whether the report is legitimate.
Woods first weighed in on the topic during the Paris games and in the wake of the revelation of the report, called for the fighter Khelif defeated in the gold medal match – China’s Yang Liu – to receive the honour in her place.
Laura Woods has re-engaged with the Olympic boxing gender row months after revealing she had been subject to online abuse for sharing her views on social media
An alleged report into Imane Khelif’s biology has apparently revealed she is a biological male
Woods is among those to join calls for Khelif (left) to be stripped of her Olympic gold medal
The TNT Sports presenter revealed that she had lost friends over her public position
‘Saw A LOT of what was written about me and others for even daring to ask questions about this,’ Woods shared on social media site X. ‘I won’t forget that.
‘I hope the women who had to face a biological man in the ring & whose concerns were drowned out, now get some sort of justice, but I won’t hold my breath…’
Woods then replied to a follower who put the question of re-awarding Khelif’s medal to the silver medal winner to the broadcaster, and asked her if she had ‘lost friends’ over the position she took during the summer.
‘Unfortunately I have [lost friends], I’ve seen their tweets on here about me (repeatedly). On the medal, I don’t think she will get it [the medal], which is the biggest travesty, and the fact the IOC allowed this all to happen’.
Woods had initially been subject to online torment when she praised an article which raised concerns about the protection of female athletes in light of Khelif and Lin competing.
‘Since I replied to this article I’ve had numerous death threats to myself and my unborn child,’ wrote the TNT Sports presenter. ‘Questions on my own gender (I’m pregnant so guess that clears that one up) calls for my employers to sack me, threats to my home.
‘I’ve been called a racist, a bigot and a sexist as well as various insults – ****, s**g etc. I’ve also been asked why I haven’t raised any concerns on this topic before? See above for your answer.
Khelif has previously insisted she is a biological female despite allegedly failing the IBA’s gender eligibility tests in 2023
‘When there are discrepancies with test results – which could impact the safety of another human being, in an environment that above all else should be fair – questions are quite rightly going to be asked. The answers are still unclear, otherwise this topic would be closed.’
Earlier this month, Woods hit out Labour peer Fiona Twycross for not being more aware of a UN study that suggested nearly 900 potential women’s sport medals had been won by biological males.
Woods posted on X: ‘By March this year over 600 female athletes in more than 400 events were defeated by trans-identifying males who took a total of 890 medals.’
‘”I’m not aware of that report” was the response from @fionatwycross. The report is entitled: “Violence Against Women and Girls in Sport.” Why isn’t she aware of it?’
Woods continued: ‘Fairness and safety MUST be the MOST important factors in sport. At ALL levels. Including and especially grass routes. This can not keep happening.
‘Transgender people SHOULD absolutely have a place in sport, but NOT at the expense of safety or fairness for women. And it is not up to women to find that solution. These categories should be protected.’
The ‘leaked’ report at the centre of Woods’ re-engagement in the subject was first put together in 2023 via collaboration between French and Algerian expert endocrinologists working at the Kremlin-Bicetre hospital in Paris, and the Mohamed Lamine Debaghine hospital in Algiers.
The unverified report alleges that Khelif has male characteristics.
Upon hearing the news, Piers Morgan took to X where he slammed the IOC’s decision to let Khelif compete at the Paris Games and demanded she be stripped of her gold medal.
Piers Morgan and Martina Navratilova were among those to respond to the ‘leaked’ report
Morgan posted to his 8.8million followers on Thursday: ‘Confirmation of what some of us said at the time: Khelif is a biological man. The gold medal should now be stripped and awarded to the best actual woman.’
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova also spoke out on the topic and backed Morgan’s claim that Khelif should have her medals stripped.
In a post on X, she said: ‘What we have been saying for months. And for calling his person a man or at least a male, we got called all kinds of names and most of all the women this male took medals and wins from. Just awful’.
Khelif beat Chinese boxer Yang by unanimous decision to win gold at the Olympics during an eventful run to the medal that included Italy’s Angela Carini being left in tears after struggling with the power of her opponent.
Khelif has previously insisted she is a biological female and fumed at reporters after gold medal victory at the Paris Olympics, stating: ‘As for whether I qualify or not, whether I am a woman or not, I have made many statements in the media.
‘I am fully qualified to take part in this competition. I’m a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived as a woman, I competed as a woman, there’s no doubt about that.
Khelif beat Chinese boxer Yang Liu (right) by unanimous decision to win gold at the Olympics
Khelif previously claimed she is a ‘woman like any other woman’ after winning Olympic gold
‘[The critics] are enemies of success, that is what I call them. And that also gives my success a special taste because of these attacks.’
The fallout surrounding Khelif’s participation in the Olympics, along with that of fellow boxer Lin, prompted outcries of fury from the author JK Rowling and Elon Musk on social media, while Donald Trump also taunted the Algerian fighter.
Nabil Boudi, Khelif’s Paris-based attorney, later revealed they opened a lawsuit that was filed to French authorities over comments made about her gender online.
No individuals have been named as defendants in the lawsuit but a number of well known celebrities have been referenced for their social media posts.
The 25-year-old Olympic champion revealed at the time that she was ‘hurt a lot’ by intense scrutiny of her gender and questioned the intentions of those who she believes have harassed her.
