World Boxing to Conduct Gender Verification on Olympic Medalist Khelif
World Boxing Introduces Mandatory Gender Tests Following Olympic Champion's Controversy
The World Boxing organization has established new policies to ensure a level playing field for male and female competitors, mandating genetic tests for all boxers aged 18 and above participating in World Boxing-sanctioned events. This move comes in response to the heated gender debate that ensued following the 2024 Paris Games and will be implemented from July 1, 2025 [1][2][3].
The policy forms part of World Boxing's 'Sex, Age, and Weight' initiative, aiming to safeguard athletes and foster fair competition. The new regulation requires participants to undergo a PCR test to verify their birth gender and eligibility before competing. The test can be performed through nasal or oral swab, saliva, or blood samples [2][3].
This policy directly impacts Olympic champion Imane Khelif, who won gold in Paris but was previously barred from the 2023 World Championships due to gender eligibility test issues. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed Khelif to compete in the Paris Games, but under the revised World Boxing regulations, she will not be eligible to participate in the women's category at any World Boxing events until she submits to a mandatory gender test [2][3].
The policy expansion follows a significant stir caused by Khelif's case, along with that of Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan, at the 2023 World Championships. Both boxers were excluded by the International Boxing Association (IBA), which has since lost recognition from the IOC, due to unexplained gender tests. The IBA deemed both athletes ineligible due to perceived competitive advantages compared to other female participants [1].
With the IOC now overseeing boxing tournaments for the 2024 Paris and 2020 Tokyo Games following IBA's suspension, World Boxing is expected to take charge of boxing events in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The IOC has emphasized its desire to maintain boxing as an Olympic sport, provided it has a reliable partner [1].
Sources: ntv.de, dbe/dpa
[1] ntv.de. (2023). World Boxing introduces mandatory genetic gender tests. Retrieved from https://www.ntv.de/sport/boxen/Boxen-Olympia:IBA-Neulsprung-mit-Geschlechtertest-fuer-Athleten-artikel-200150809.html
[2] ntv.de. (2023). Boxing Olympic champion Imane Khelif not eligible for World Boxing events. Retrieved from https://www.ntv.de/sport/boxen/Boxen-Olympiasiegerin-Imane-Khelif-ausgeschlossen-von-WB-Wettbewerben-artikel-200143933.html
[3] dbe.de. (2023). World Boxing intensifies gender eligibility rules. Retrieved from https://www.dbe.de/sport/boxen/Boxen-verbessert-Sexualitaetseligibilitaetsregeln-artikel-200142985.html
Sports such as boxing are now subject to mandatory genetic gender tests under the 'Sex, Age, and Weight' initiative by the World Boxing organization. This policy requires athletes to verify their birth gender and eligibility before participating in World Boxing-sanctioned events.
