World Boxing Announces Gender Verification Procedures for Olympic Champion Khelif
World Boxing Implements Mandatory Genetic Gender Tests
The International Boxing Association (AIBA), acknowledged by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has announced compulsory genetic testing for all boxers aged 18 and above who participate in events governed or sanctioned by the organization. This decision comes in response to the heated debate surrounding the eligibility of athletes, particularly Olympic champion Imane Khelif, who faced controversy at the 2024 Paris Games.
The new policy aims to ensure the safety of all participants and provide equal competition conditions for male and female boxers. The AIBA stated, "The introduction of these tests is part of a new policy on gender, age, and weight to safeguard athletes in combat sports, given the physical risks associated with Olympic-style boxing."
Khelif, who found herself at the epicenter of the gender debate in Paris, will no longer be able to participate in the Eindhoven Box Cup, scheduled for June 5-10. The Algerian contender has been barred from competing in any World Boxing event until she undergoes the mandatory genetic test in accordance with World Boxing's rules and testing procedures.
The controversy surrounding Khelif and Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan ignited a stir during the 2023 World Championships, organized by the International Boxing Association, which is no longer recognized by the IOC. Both athletes were excluded after unexplained gender tests, prompting the IOC to deem it a "random decision without proper procedure." Despite the exclusion, both athletes won gold in Paris.
World Boxing, now recognized as a partner by the IOC's Executive Board since February, is establishing more specific rules to govern its events. "These new participation rules have been developed with the express aim of protecting athletes in combat sports," the federation explained.
For future competitions, athletes over 18 participating in World Boxing events will need to undergo a PCR genetic test to determine their birth gender and eligibility to compete. The test can be performed through nasal or oral swab, saliva, or blood.
The IOC took charge of the boxing tournaments for the 2024 Paris and 2020 Tokyo Games following the suspension of the IBA. World Boxing will take over the organization of the boxing events for the 2028 Games. Speaking in Paris, the outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach emphasized their commitment to keeping boxing in the Olympic program, but only with a reliable partner.
In recent debates about balancing athlete safety, fairness, and inclusion in sports, particularly combat disciplines, the new policy initiated by World Boxing represents a significant shift towards stricter verification processes for athletes whose gender identity or biological traits may be questioned. However, the divergence of this policy from the IOC's more inclusive, less invasive approach has raised concerns about privacy, inclusivity, and the risk of discrimination against athletes with diverse gender identities or sex variations.
Source: ntv.de, dbe/dpa
- Boxing
Boxing, in light of the new World Boxing policies, will require all boxers aged 18 and above to undergo mandatory genetic tests to safeguard athletes in combat sports and ensure equal competition conditions for both male and female boxers. The tests are part of World Boxing's efforts to implement stricter verification processes for athletes, following debates about balancing athlete safety, fairness, and inclusion in sports.
