Boxing organization World Boxing announces gender examination for Olympic medalist Khelif
World Boxing Introduces Mandatory Gender Tests Following Olympic Champion Khelif's Controversy
In response to the ongoing debate about gender in sports, the International Boxing Association (AIBA), recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has announced mandated gender tests for all athletes wanting to compete in women's events. This decision applies particularly to Algerian Olympic champion Imane Khelif, who faced controversy surrounding gender eligibility at the 2024 Paris Games.
According to the statement, these tests are part of a new policy on age, weight, and gender aimed at ensuring competitor safety and equal conditions for females and males. As a result, Khelif is barred from competing in the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup and all other World Boxing events until she undergoes a genetic gender test in accordance with World Boxing's rules and testing procedures.
The debate surrounding Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting was a cause for stir at the 2023 World Championships organized by the then non-IOC-recognized IBA. Both athletes were excluded due to unexplained gender tests, later facing allegations of a competitive advantage and failure to meet participation criteria. The IOC classified the decision as "random without proper procedure" and allowed both athletes to compete in Paris, with the passport-indicated gender being the deciding factor in sports.
World Boxing, newly recognized by the IOC's Executive Board, has now established stricter rules requiring all athletes aged 18 and over to undergo a PCR genetic test to determine their birth gender and eligibility. The test can be conducted via nasal or oral swab, saliva, or blood. This move aims to maintain fair competition, minimize debates about gender eligibility, and ensure that competitions are based on objective, biological criteria.
The IOC took control of boxing tournaments for the 2024 Paris and 2020 Tokyo Olympics following the IBA's suspension. World Boxing will take over from 2028 in Los Angeles. Following the announcement, IOC President Thomas Bach emphasized the desire to keep boxing in the Olympic program only with a reliable partner.
[Source: ntv.de, dpa]
The new policy highlights World Boxing's commitment to ensuring fair competition and maintaining the integrity of women's boxing events. Theatrical disputes about gender eligibility will be minimized, upholding the principle of equal opportunities and promoting the overall development of the sport.
World Boxing's new policy, encompassing mandatory genetic tests for all athletes in women's events, reaffirms their commitment to fair competition and the integrity of sports. This move is aimed at reducing disputes regarding gender eligibility and reinforcing the principle of equal opportunities, thereby fostering the overall growth of boxing.
