World Boxing Federation Apologizes After Controversial Gender Testing Ban for Algerian Olympic Champion
Imane Khelif's exclusion from the Eindhoven Boxing Cup sparks international debate over new genetic testing policies.
The World Boxing Federation (WBF) has issued a formal apology to Olympic champion Imane Khelif following her public identification as part of a new genetic gender testing policy.
Khelif, who represented Algeria and won gold at the Paris Olympic Games, was excluded from the Eindhoven Boxing Cup in the Netherlands, scheduled for June 5 to 10.
The federation informed Algeria's national boxing federation that Khelif's participation was suspended pending the required examination.
In response to the ensuing controversy, WBF President Boris Van der Vorst sent a letter of apology to the Algerian Boxing Federation, acknowledging that the privacy of the athlete should have been protected.
The global policy, set to take effect on July 1, will mandate genetic testing for all boxers over the age of 18. This measure is part of a strategy focused on "sex, age, and weight" to ensure equitable and safe competition conditions for both men and women.
According to the federation, tests will be conducted by national federations using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic analysis to identify the presence of the SRY gene associated with the Y chromosome.
The procedure can be performed using saliva, blood, or nasal or buccal swabs.
Athletes who test positive for the Y chromosome or exhibit any differences in sexual development (DSD) with masculine androgenization effects will only be permitted to compete in the male category.
Conversely, if no such conditions are present, participation in the female category will be allowed.
Affected athletes will have the right to appeal and request independent clinical evaluations.
World Boxing justified Khelif's temporary exclusion as a precautionary measure due to reactions stemming from her presence at the competition and to safeguard the mental and physical health of all participants, including herself.
Khelif had previously faced scrutiny during the Paris Olympic Games, where her inclusion sparked divisions.
The International Boxing Association (IBA), an organization not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2023 due to governance issues, barred her from competing in the world championship that year, claiming she possessed XY chromosomes, although no public results were presented.
Despite the challenges, Khelif advanced to the finals, defeating China's Yang Liu to secure gold in the middle-weight category.
Controversy further escalated when Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew from her bout against Khelif after 46 seconds, following a blow to the face.
Khelif, who represented Algeria and won gold at the Paris Olympic Games, was excluded from the Eindhoven Boxing Cup in the Netherlands, scheduled for June 5 to 10.
The federation informed Algeria's national boxing federation that Khelif's participation was suspended pending the required examination.
In response to the ensuing controversy, WBF President Boris Van der Vorst sent a letter of apology to the Algerian Boxing Federation, acknowledging that the privacy of the athlete should have been protected.
The global policy, set to take effect on July 1, will mandate genetic testing for all boxers over the age of 18. This measure is part of a strategy focused on "sex, age, and weight" to ensure equitable and safe competition conditions for both men and women.
According to the federation, tests will be conducted by national federations using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic analysis to identify the presence of the SRY gene associated with the Y chromosome.
The procedure can be performed using saliva, blood, or nasal or buccal swabs.
Athletes who test positive for the Y chromosome or exhibit any differences in sexual development (DSD) with masculine androgenization effects will only be permitted to compete in the male category.
Conversely, if no such conditions are present, participation in the female category will be allowed.
Affected athletes will have the right to appeal and request independent clinical evaluations.
World Boxing justified Khelif's temporary exclusion as a precautionary measure due to reactions stemming from her presence at the competition and to safeguard the mental and physical health of all participants, including herself.
Khelif had previously faced scrutiny during the Paris Olympic Games, where her inclusion sparked divisions.
The International Boxing Association (IBA), an organization not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2023 due to governance issues, barred her from competing in the world championship that year, claiming she possessed XY chromosomes, although no public results were presented.
Despite the challenges, Khelif advanced to the finals, defeating China's Yang Liu to secure gold in the middle-weight category.
Controversy further escalated when Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew from her bout against Khelif after 46 seconds, following a blow to the face.