World Boxing mandates gender testing, bars Imane Khelif pending results
Imane Khelif’s participation in the upcoming World Boxing competition in the Netherlands next month, the Eindhoven Box Cup, is now on hold until the boxer undergoes mandatory gender testing, as announced by World Boxing on Friday, May 30. The announcement of mandatory sex testing for all boxers comes as the organization faces scrutiny over Khelif’s participation in the sport.
Khelif’s Olympic spotlight
Khelif gained international attention during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics after being allowed to compete in women’s boxing despite being banned from the 2023 World Championships for failing “gender eligibility tests.”
At the Paris Games, the Algerian boxer won the gold medal.
Past gender test sparked controversy
The International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified Khelif during the Women’s World Championships in March 2023. Officials stated that Khelif failed to meet the gender eligibility requirements. The IBA said DNA tests found the boxer had XY chromosomes instead of XX.
However, some criticized the IBA’s results. Khelif was only asked to take a test after defeating an undefeated Russian fighter and advancing into the gold medal round. The International Olympic Committee also withdrew its recognition of the IBA due to concerns regarding finances, governance, ethics and judging. The IOC later called the tests “illegitimate.”
When questioned about gender, Khelif said in an interview, “I’m fully qualified to take part in this competition. I’m a woman like any other woman. I was born as a woman, I live as a woman, and I am qualified.”
Khelif’s name mentioned in World Boxing policy change press release
The controversy has not subsided.
World Boxing will oversee boxing events at the 2028 Olympics. The sport’s governing body announced it will require gender testing for all boxers effective immediately. The organization also specifically cited Khelif in its new policy.
According to the agency, it is implementing the testing to “ensure the safety of all participants and deliver a competitive, level playing field for men and women.”
“World Boxing has written to the Algerian Boxing Federation to inform it that Imane Khelif will not be allowed to participate in the female category at upcoming boxing events until Khelif undergoes sex testing,” the press release stated.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
