Olympic gold-medalist Algerian Imane Khelif might be banned from all World Boxing competitions till the boxer undergoes newly mandated genetic intercourse testing, World Boxing mentioned. The group introduced Friday that it’s going to introduce necessary intercourse testing to find out the eligibility of female and male boxers who wish to participate of their competitions.
World Boxing mentioned Khelif can be topic to intercourse testing after issues arose from the boxer’s potential participation within the upcoming Eindhoven Field Cup in June. The group mentioned it contacted the Algerian Boxing Federation to let it know Khelif won’t be allowed to take part within the feminine class at any World Boxing occasion till present process intercourse testing.
“Imane Khelif may not participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup, 5-10 June 2025 and any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures,” a letter from World Boxing to the Algerian Boxing Federation states.
The choice to mandate testing got here partly because of the controversy surrounding Khelif after the boxer received a gold medal on the Paris Olympics.
MOHD RASFAN/AFP by way of Getty Photos
Khelif got here underneath intense scrutiny over misconceptions about gender, fueled by claims from the Worldwide Boxing Affiliation, which has been completely banned from the Olympics, that each Khelif and one other boxer failed unspecified eligibility exams for the ladies’s competitors finally yr’s world championships.
Khelif boxed for years on the worldwide stage with none gender points or questions till the yr earlier than the Olympics, once they have been disqualified from the IBA’s world championships.
World Boxing mentioned athletes must take a polymerase chain response (PCR) genetic check to find out their intercourse at start and their eligibility to compete, the group mentioned. The check, which may be carried out by nasal/mouth swab, saliva or blood, reveals the presence of the Y chromosome. The outcomes will decide the organic intercourse.
Research have proven the PCR check to find out intercourse is very correct. A 2023 examine printed in Genes discovered intercourse evaluation achieved an accuracy of 72% on non-adults and 97% on adults.
“World Boxing respects the dignity of all individuals and its overriding priority is to ensure safety and competitive fairness to all athletes,” the group mentioned within the assertion.
CBS Information reached out to the Algerian Boxing Federation for remark.
Necessary testing procedures will start July 1, 2025.
