Jillian Michaels Weighs In on Gender Controversy in Boxing

Fitness expert Jillian Michaels has entered the heated debate surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who recently won gold at the Paris Olympics. Khelif, along with Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, has faced scrutiny due to allegations of possessing male XY chromosomes, which led to their disqualification from the 2023 world championships. On the OutKick podcast "Tomi Lahren is Fearless," Michaels emphasized that both athletes identify as female, but independent tests have reportedly confirmed the presence of a Y chromosome, raising questions about their eligibility in women's sports. Michaels criticized the International Boxing Association for not contesting the findings of the independent tests, suggesting that a simple cheek swab could clarify the situation. She argued that the ongoing controversy is exacerbated by a refusal to acknowledge biological differences, stating, "XY chromosomes are not the same as XX chromosomes." This perspective aligns with concerns about competitive fairness and safety in women's boxing, especially after a female opponent, Angela Carini, withdrew from a match against Khelif after sustaining injuries. In a related development, Khelif has filed a lawsuit against social media platform X, naming Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling for alleged cyber harassment following public backlash over her participation in the Olympics. Khelif's attorney described the lawsuit as part of her "fight for justice, dignity, and honor," highlighting the intense scrutiny faced by athletes in this contentious debate. The International Olympic Committee has expressed concern over the abuse directed at Khelif and Yu-ting, reaffirming their right to compete.