Fact-check: Did Martina Navratilova lash out at Imane Khelif after being misled by AI-generated image of Algerian boxer? Looking into the viral claim

Martina Navratilova recently labeled Imane Khelif a "biological male," feeling justified after seeing an image that depicted the Algerian boxer with a noticeably male physique. Images of Khelif with a male body have been circulating widely online, reviving the discourse about the 25-year-old's participation in the women's category at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Khelif's Olympic gold-medal win in the women's welterweight boxing event in Paris was marred by the controversy surrounding her eligibility following reports of a failed gender test. This development fueled a deluge of misinformation about the 25-year-old being transgender or intersex, but the IOC president Thomas backed the Algerian's participation, clarifying that it wasn't a "transgender case."

However, this did not stop Imane Khelif from being attacked on social media, with several high-profile figures like JK Rowling and Elon Musk, as well as tennis personalities like Chris Evert, Boris Becker, and Judy Murray criticizing her participation.

Martina Navratilova was also strongly opposed to Imane Khelif's participation, calling her presence at the Olympics "deplorable." As such, a recent report of a French journalist obtaining access to Khelif's 2023 MRI report, which allegedly revealed that the Algerian didn't have a uterus and had internal testicles instead, caught the former World No. 1's attention.

Navratilova took to social media and reshared a picture of the Algerian boxer with a masculine appearance, asserting that it vindicated her view that Imane Khelif was a "male" and denouncing the 25-year-old for taking away medals and wins from female boxers.

"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," Navratilova posted on X.

However, the 18-time Grand Slam champion was misled by an AI-generated image of Imane Khelif, which she shared with her audience without verifying its authenticity.

Even after users on X informed Martina Navratilova that the image was digitally manufactured, the former World No. 1 refused to retract her statement, doubling down on her view that Imane Khelif was "male" and labeling it as a fact.

"What misinformation? Facts are facts," she commented.

"Imane is male. Fall for what?," she wrote further.

"Male bodies are different from female bodies" - Martina Navratilova on her stance against trans exclusion in women's sports

Martina Navratilova (Source: Getty)

Martina Navratilova's firm stance against Imane Khelif participating in women's sports aligns with her strong opposition to transgender athletes competing in female categories since she believes the Algerian to be a biological male.

During a recent appearance on 'The Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt' podcast, the 18-time Grand Slam champion highlighted the inherent physical differences between male and female bodies, asserting that it was important to protect female spaces.

"Identity is one thing, but identity does not apply to sports. Sex category applies to sports. Male bodies are different from female bodies," Martina Navratilova said.

"When it comes to female sex-based spaces, which includes sports, then I think we need to put a line there and say 'We just really need this space to be female.' And that's the end," she added.

Martina Navratilova also emphasized that her views on transgender athletes didn't make her "right-wing," which can be evidenced by her vocal criticisms of Republican nominee Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 US presidential election.