Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is questioning the fairness of the Paris Olympics amid a gender storm in women’s boxing.
Two fighters at the Games reportedly failed eligibility tests to compete as females at last year’s World Championships.
They include Algeria’s Imane Khelif, who sources say had high levels of the male hormone, testosterone.
The other boxer comes from Taiwan.
Khelif advanced to the quarterfinals of the 66-kilogram category in Paris on Thursday after an Italian boxer pulled out of their bout mid-fight.
Meloni later said athletes with “male genetic characteristics” should not be allowed to compete as women.
She added that her view is not discriminatory, but is aimed at ensuring females can compete on equal terms.
The Italian government says Meloni raised the issue on Friday with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
The IOC says athletes’ genders are based on their passports.
Algeria’s Olympic committee issued a statement on Thursday, saying Khelif has been harassed over the controversy and pinning the blame on certain foreign media.
The Taiwanese boxer competed on Friday, winning a bout in the Women’s 57-kilogram category.