World Boxing introduces compulsory sex tests for boxers in all competitions.
Imane Khelif, who won Olympic Welterweight Gold in Paris last summer in the female category, cannot compete until she undergoes a test.
World Boxing has written the Algerian boxing federation and says that Khelif is not eligible to participate next month in the Eindhoven Box Cup, or a Worldboxing event, until that test takes place.
The letter was: “Imane Khelif is not allowed to participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup, 5-10 June 2025 and any Worldboxing Event until IMANE KHELIF Genetic sex screening undergoes in accordance with the rules and test procedures of World Boxing.”
Khelif was acquitted to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games, even though it was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships, organized by the International Boxing Association, due to alleged not met the criteria of gender.
What does the test entail?
The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test that worldboxes will use, determines gender at birth, where all athletes are older than 18 years who need one to take one to take one.
In this test, the genetic material is looking for the Sry gene.
The Sry -gene is almost always on the Y chromosome, which plays a crucial role in determining male sexual characteristics.
The test can be performed by a nasal or mouth bar, saliva or blood.
Athletes who are considered male at birth are eligible to compete in the male category, said World Boxing.
Khelif said in March: “I see myself as a girl, just like any other girl. I was born like a girl, raised as a girl and lived all my life as one.”
Khelif won a silver medal at the 2022 world championships, in the Light-Welterweight Division
World boxing: Policy designed to guarantee the safety field of safety and level
World Boxing said in his statement: “The introduction of mandatory tests will be part of a new policy for sex, age and weight to guarantee the safety of all participants and to deliver a competitive level of playing field for men and women.
“World boxing respects the dignity of all individuals and its mandatory priority to guarantee safety and competitive fairness for all athletes.
“To do this, it is essential that strict categories are determined by sex are maintained and maintained, and means that worldboxing will only exploit competitions for athletes categorized as male or female.”
The policy also includes a professional process.
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