World Boxing introduces mandatory sex tests for all fighters
The Olympic boxing federation said sex testing is aimed at competitive fairness and safety. It also focuses directly on Algerian Olympic champion Imane Khelif.
Imane Khelif became a lightning rod after decimating the competition to win Olympic gold in the women’s welterweight boxing competition in 2024
World Boxing on Friday announced the introduction of mandatory sex tests for both male and female fighters who want to compete in sponsored competitions.
“The introduction of mandatory testing will be part of a new policy on ‘Sex, Age and Weight’ to ensure the safety of all participants and deliver a competitive level playing field for men and women,” World Boxing said in a statement.
The federation said it made the decision in the aftermath of controversy centered around, among others, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif at last summer’s Paris Olympics.
During a knockout round, Khelif’s Italian opponent refused to fight her after baselessly claiming Khelif was not a woman because she hit too powerfully. Khelif went on to climb the ladder and win the gold medal.
World Boxing, which has been asked by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to organize the boxing competition for the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, says it has informed the Algerian Boxing Federation that Khelif must submit to a sex test before being allowed to compete in the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands from June 5-10.
“World Boxing has written to the Algerian Boxing Federation to inform it that Imane Khelif will not be allowed to participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup or any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes sex testing,” read a statement from the world body.
National boxing federations will be required to test and confirm the sex of individual athletes and to provide certification thereof to World Boxing before they are allowed to compete
