The boxer made headlines this summer after Khelif was allowed to participate in the female division at the Paris Olympics despite being disqualified from the 2023 world championships over gender eligibility issues. According to IBA President Umar Kremlev, Khelif possessed "XY chromosomes," which are found in biological males.

Khelif won the gold medal in Paris after female opponents were unable to withstand the boxer's blows. Angela Carini, an Italian female boxer, forfeited her bout against Khelif because "one punch hurt too much," she stated at the time. Carini appeared distressed and injured on TV while discussing her match against Khelif, which sparked widespread backlash.

Khelif did not lose any matches at the Paris Olympics and returned to Algeria with a gold medal. The boxer was the most Googled athlete this year.