Fact-Check: Image of Gold Medal Winner Boxer Imane Khelif as man is AI-Generated
An AI-generated image of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has recently gone viral on social media, falsely depicting her as a man. This misleading image has fueled an online controversy around Khelif’s gender, which intensified following her victory at the Paris Olympics. While many have applauded Khelif’s achievements, some users on social media have taken to making harmful comments about her appearance and questioning her gender identity.
The Viral Image of Imane Khelif and Its Claims
The AI-generated image, widely shared on social media platforms, shows Khelif with exaggerated masculine features. Accompanying the image are posts that mock her gender, with some users addressing her as “he” and falsely claiming that she is a man who won a gold medal in a women’s competition. One popular post read:
“This is the Algerian boxer Imane Khelif who won Gold in Olympics. He thanked Allah for his victory over a woman. Sorry Angela Carini, the world failed you!”
The tone of these posts reflects a deeper issue: the attempt to delegitimize Khelif’s success by focusing on her gender. This has led to a wave of unwarranted attacks against her, not just for her athletic achievements but for failing to fit into traditional or stereotypical standards of womanhood.
The Truth Behind the Image
According to fact-checking agencies TrueMedia and HiveModeration, the image of Khelif circulating online is not a real photograph. It was generated using AI and designed to make her appear more masculine, contributing to the false narrative that she is a man competing against women. The image distorts her features to fuel harmful gender-based misinformation.
Khelif, who has consistently identified as a woman, was thrust into the spotlight when an Italian opponent, Angela Carini, withdrew 46 seconds into their match, claiming the punch Khelif delivered was the hardest she had ever received. Carini’s withdrawal and emotional reaction, captured in media reports, became the foundation for further attacks on Khelif, leading to claims about her gender and even accusations that she cheated by posing as a man.
Misinformation and Gender Accusations
This is not the first time Khelif has faced gender-based accusations. In a prior controversy, Khelif was disqualified by the International Boxing Association from last year’s world championships over an unspecified gender test. This disqualification, which also involved Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu‑ting, reignited speculation and led to unfounded accusations that Khelif is male.
Prominent public figures, including JK Rowling and former U.S. President Donald Trump, added fuel to the fire by criticizing Khelif. Rowling, known for her opposition to trans women, commented on the incident, saying:
“Here’s a male beating up a woman and shattering her dreams.”
While Rowling’s remarks were focused on her beliefs about gender identity, they wrongly targeted Khelif, a woman, based on her physical appearance. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also chimed in, stating that “athletes who have male genetic characteristics should not participate in women’s competitions.” Despite not directly calling Khelif a man, Meloni’s comments contributed to the false narrative by implying that Khelif’s genetic makeup disqualified her from competing in women’s sports.
The Larger Implications of the Controversy
This incident highlights a broader issue: the rigid and often damaging expectations of what female athletes should look like. Historically, female athletes who did not conform to Eurocentric, stereotypical standards of femininity were still celebrated for their strength and success. Today, with the rise of non-binary awareness, society paradoxically seems to be less accepting of physical differences among female athletes, particularly those who challenge traditional norms.
Khelif’s case echoes that of many athletes who have faced discrimination based on their gender identity, appearance, or performance. In the past, sports like tennis, weightlifting, and shot put have all seen women with larger physiques excel, without their gender being questioned. Yet today, we are witnessing a shift where such athletes are scrutinized, ridiculed, and in cases like Khelif’s, falsely accused of being male.
Conclusion: A Harmful Trend in Social Media Misinformation
The AI-generated image of Imane Khelif is yet another example of how modern technology can be misused to spread harmful and false narratives. While Khelif continues to excel in her sport, the online controversy surrounding her appearance and gender detracts from her achievements. The image circulating on social media is fake, and the accusations leveled against her are baseless.
At its core, this issue is not about Khelif’s gender, but about society’s limited understanding of womanhood and the damaging expectations placed on female athletes. As the controversy continues, it’s important to challenge these false narratives and celebrate Khelif, and athletes like her, for their talents and accomplishments, rather than their appearance.
