Odds released for Imane Khelif, Janjaem Suwannapheng in Olympics semifinals

Ahead of Tuesday’s semifinal boxing match between Imane Khelif and Janjaem Suwannapheng, the betting odds have been released. Khelif is a -1000 favorite, according to BetOnline.ag, while Suwannapheng is a +600 underdog.

Khelif has been at the center of controversy throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics because of her gender. She was disqualified from the 2023 women’s world championships after IBA testing, and the scrutiny increased after Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew and forfeited early in their match in the Olympics.

The reason for Khelif’s disqualification in 2023 was because testing showed she had an XY chromosome. However, she has identified as a woman since birth, and the presence of XY chromosomes in cisgender women is a known medical phenomenon called Swyer syndrome. The IBA has not released any further details on the disqualifying test.

The backlash was fierce as many labeled Khelif as transgender. As she advanced in the Olympics, the outcry continued, and she issued a message during an interview about bullying athletes.

“I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects,” Khelif said in Arabic, per the Associated Press. “It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.”

She added: “I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope that they weren’t affected deeply. They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response.”

The IBA – with which the IOC cut ties due to corruption and lack of transparency – added to the controversy late last week. During a press conference, the organization created more confusion with comments about both Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, who was also disqualified in 2023 due to testing.

“We didn’t check what was between their legs,” said Umar Kremlev, President of the IBA, regarding the status of Khelif and Yu-ting, per Jonathan Crane. “They have men’s levels of testosterone. We don’t know if there were born like men or some changes intervened [sic] at a later stage.”

Khelif and Suannpheng will square off Tuesday afternoon, with the winner advancing to the gold medal match in the 2024 Paris Olympics. That will take place Aug. 9 at 4:51 p.m. ET.