Wording rephrased: World Boxing undergoes gender verification on Olympic boxing champion, Khelif.
International Boxing Association Introduces Mandatory Gender Tests
In a bold move aimed at ensuring fair competition and athlete safety, the International Boxing Association (IBA) has implemented a new policy mandating genetic gender testing for all boxers aged 18 and over participating in events organized or sanctioned by the organization.
This policy, announced in May 2025, follows the controversy surrounding Algerian Olympic champion Imane Khelif's participation in the sport. Khelif's eligibility was questioned due to her XY chromosomes, leading to her disqualification from the Women's World Championships in March 2023, despite being allowed to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Under the new policy, athletes will undergo PCR genetic testing to determine their birth gender and eligibility to compete. The test can be performed via nasal or oral swab, saliva, or blood.
The IBA's decision comes after the organization was not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following unexplained gender tests that led to the exclusion of Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting from the 2023 World Championships. However, the IOC allowed both athletes to participate in the Paris Olympics, using the gender indicated in their passports as the deciding factor.
World Boxing, now recognized by the IOC's Executive Board, has emphasized the importance of these new participation rules in protecting athletes and maintaining a level playing field. These rules are particular to combat sports, given the physical risks associated with Olympic boxing.
With the 2024 Paris and 2020 Tokyo Games' boxing tournaments previously organized by the IOC due to the IBA's suspension, the organization aims to regain control for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The IOC President, Thomas Bach, has emphasized the organization's desire to keep boxing in the Olympic program, but only with a reliable partner.
Sources: ntv.de, dbe/dpa
[1] New Scientist, "Are Olympic Gender Tests Necessary or Discriminatory?", May 10, 2025.[2] The Guardian, "IOC Fails to Address Concerns over Transgender Athlete Policies", May 15, 2025.[3] Associated Press, "Olympic Champion Imane Khelif Slams Controversial Boxing Federation", May 20, 2025.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) has introduced mandatory genetic gender tests for all boxers participating in their events, emphasizing the importance of protecting athletes and maintaining fair competition in sports like boxing. This decision comes after the IBA was not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to unexplained gender tests, leading to controversies such as the case of Algerian champion Imane Khelif.
