Boxing authority, World Boxing, is performing a gender validation test on Olympic champion Khelif.
World Boxing Enforces Gender Testing Policy After Olympic Champion Khelif Controversy
In the wake of a heated gender debate, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) has announced mandatory gender testing for participants in its events, citing a new policy on gender, age, and weight to ensure safety and fair competition for both men and women. This decision has immediate and significant consequences for renowned Olympic champion Imane Khelif of Algeria, who was at the center of a controversy at the 2024 Paris Games.
The AIBA, recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), revealed that Khelif would not be allowed to participate in the Eindhoven Box Cup (5-10 June) or any other World Boxing events until she undergoes a genetic gender test in accordance with World Boxing's rules and testing procedures. The exclusion from the Eindhoven tournament was confirmed in a letter sent to the Algerian national federation.
The debate around Khelif and Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan caused a stir at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Both boxers were initially excluded from the 2023 World Championships by the IBA, which was subsequently not recognized by the IOC. Yet, the IOC allowed Khelif and Lin to participate in Paris, stating that the gender indicated in the passport is decisive for many sports. Both athletes went on to win gold at the Paris Games.
Following the suspension of the IBA by the IOC, World Boxing was organized by the IOC for the boxing tournaments in Paris and Tokyo. In 2028, World Boxing is set to take over boxing events in Los Angeles. The IOC has expressed a desire to maintain boxing in the Olympic program only with a reliable partner.
From May 2025, all athletes aged 18 and above participating in World Boxing events will have to undergo a PCR genetic test to determine their birth gender and eligibility to compete. The test can be performed via nasal or oral swab, saliva, or blood. The new policy aims to protect athletes in combat sports and deliver a competitive, level playing field for men and women.
Sources: ntv.de, dbe/dpa
In related news, Khelif has spoken out against the controversial Boxing Association, expressing her views as arbitrary, wrong, and insulting. The outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach has emphasized a desire to retain boxing in the Olympic program with a reliable partner.
Sports organizations, such as the International Boxing Association (AIBA), are implementing new gender testing policies to ensure fair competition in sports like boxing. This comes after the controversy surrounding Olympic champion Imane Khelif, who was barred from participating in World Boxing events due to the requirement for a genetic gender test.
