World Boxing Announces Gender Verification Tests for Olympic Hero Khelif
World Boxing Implementations Genetic Gender Tests After Olympic Champion Khelif's Controversy
In a move to ensure fair competition and safety among participants, the International Boxing Association (IBA)—recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)—has introduced mandatory genetic gender tests for all athletes. This decision comes into effect immediately and has significant implications for Olympic champion Imane Khelif.
The announced policy aims to create equal competition conditions for men and women by establishing a new framework on gender, age, and weight. The initiative stems from the controversial cases of Khelif and Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan, who were excluded from the 2023 World Championships due to unexplained gender tests by the then-unrecognized IBA. Both athletes were believed to have had a competitive advantage compared to other female competitors.
The IOC deemed the exclusion of Khelif and Lin as a "random decision without proper procedure" and allowed them to participate in the 2024 Paris Games. However, the IOC later emphasized that the gender identified in the passport determines participation in most sports. Both athletes went on to win gold medals.
With the IOC's recognition of World Boxing by its executive board in February, the federation is now setting stricter rules for participation in events. The new regulations require athletes aged 18 and over to undergo a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) genetic test to determine their birth gender and eligibility to compete. This test can be performed using a nasal or oral swab, saliva, or blood sample.
The implications of these new measures are far-reaching, particularly for Olympic champion Imane Khelif. Khelif, who was at the center of the gender debate in Paris, will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup or any other World Boxing events until she has undergone a genetic gender test in accordance with World Boxing rules and testing procedures.
This situation highlights the ongoing tension between biological sex and gender identity in sports, as Khelif identifies as female despite having XY chromosomes.
Source: ntv.de, dbe/dpa
[1] The new genetic gender tests by World Boxing aim to align participation with biological sex and ensure fairness in competition. The female category in sports will be reserved for individuals with XX chromosomes. Imane Khelif, the Olympic champion from Algeria who identifies as female despite having XY chromosomes, is being affected by this new policy.
The new policy implemented by World Boxing, driven by the need for fair competition, mandates genetic gender tests for all athletes. Therefore, the female category in sports will be exclusively for individuals with XX chromosomes, potentially impacting athletes like Olympic champion Imane Khelif from Algeria, who identifies as female but has XY chromosomes.
