EINDHOVEN, Netherlands — Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif is set to face mandatory genetic testing to compete in upcoming events under a new policy from World Boxing. The organization explicitly named Khelif when it announced that athletes would be required to undergo sex screenings in a bid to create a level playing field for competitors.
The announcement came on Friday, highlighting Khelif’s need to complete the genetic screening before she can participate in events including the Eindhoven Box Cup next month. This initiative is part of a broader policy concerning athlete inclusion based on sex, age, and weight. National federations will be tasked with handling the testing process and reporting results to World Boxing.
Khelif’s rise to stardom has not been without its controversies. After winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, she became a focal point amid scrutiny surrounding her and fellow gold medalist Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan. Both athletes were disqualified from the 2023 world championships by the previous governing body, which alleged they failed an unspecified eligibility assessment.
In light of their disqualification, the International Olympic Committee managed recent Olympic boxing events, utilizing eligibility standards that had deemed Khelif and Lin appropriate to compete. Khelif’s goal remains clear: she plans to defend her gold medal in the Los Angeles Olympics and aims to return to competition next month.
The move to implement genetic screening reflects a historical shift in how sports manage sex eligibility. Chromosome testing was prevalent during the 20th century but was largely set aside in the 1990s due to inconsistencies in results. Many organizations have since turned to hormone testing, leading to contentious discussions around natural testosterone levels in women athletes.
Three months ago, World Athletics made headlines by reintroducing chromosome testing for female competitors, requiring an initial test once in their careers. This has sparked renewed debates about the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports, a topic that has drawn significant political attention and public discussion.
World Boxing is now positioned to replace the International Boxing Association as the governing body for Olympic boxing at the upcoming Los Angeles Games. However, they face pressure to establish clear sex eligibility guidelines. Athletes over 18 will undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic test to determine their sex at birth. This method, which uses saliva or blood to identify chromosomal material, has raised questions regarding the implications for those found to have male chromosomal traits. Such cases will undergo further medical evaluation, including hormonal and anatomical assessments.
The current landscape of sports eligibility policy remains contentious, with leaders from various sectors weighing in on the matter. Earlier this year, World Athletics recommended stringent rules impacting athletes born female yet possessing testosterone levels typical of males. In a controversial decision, the organization also banned transgender athletes who transitioned from male to female and experienced male puberty.
Khelif, who previously competed without controversy under the International Boxing Association, now finds her career trajectory altered by external factors. Her triumph in the women’s welterweight division in Paris marked her first major international title, but questions surrounding her eligibility may overshadow her achievements as she looks forward to future competitions.
