World Boxing Apologises for Naming Khelif in Gender Testing Announcement

Imane Khelif won welterweight gold at the Olympic Games in Paris last year

World Boxing Apologises for Naming Khelif in Gender Testing Announcement

Privacy Breach Acknowledged as New Eligibility Policy Sparks Controversy

World Boxing has issued an apology after naming Olympic champion Imane Khelif in its announcement introducing mandatory sex testing for athletes. The governing body admitted it should have protected the Algerian fighter’s privacy and has since written to the Algerian Boxing Federation to express regret.

The apology follows widespread backlash after Khelif, 26, was explicitly cited in a statement outlining World Boxing’s upcoming genetic sex verification policy, due to come into effect next month.

Khelif’s Competitive Future in Limbo

Khelif, who won women’s welterweight gold at Paris 2024, was informed she would not be allowed to compete in the female category of World Boxing-sanctioned events — including the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup — unless she undergoes a PCR genetic test to determine her sex at birth.

“The athlete’s privacy should have been protected,”

said World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst, who personally contacted the Algerian federation.

Khelif had been preparing for her competitive return at the Eindhoven event, but her participation is now suspended pending compliance with the new regulation.

Background: A Row Over Eligibility

The latest development is the continuation of a long-running dispute surrounding Khelif’s eligibility.

In 2023, Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting were disqualified from the World Championships by the IBA over gender eligibility issues — a decision made prior to the IOC stripping IBA of its official recognition due to governance concerns.

Despite the IBA ruling, the IOC cleared Khelif to compete at the Paris Olympics, stating that athletes whose passports identified them as female were eligible.

There is no indication Khelif identifies as anything other than a woman. Some reports citing IBA sources alleged Khelif may have XY chromosomes, potentially placing her within the DSD (Differences in Sexual Development) category — but this has not been independently verified by the BBC or confirmed by Khelif herself.

Importantly, the IOC clarified last year that this is not a transgender case.

New Policy Aims to ‘Safeguard’ Boxers

World Boxing has defended its upcoming mandatory sex testing policy, stating it is aimed at protecting the safety, mental wellbeing, and competitive fairness in Olympic-style boxing.

“Given the physical risks in combat sports, the policy is meant to ensure athletes compete in the appropriate category,”

the organisation stated in a letter to Khelif and the Algerian federation.

Under the policy, all athletes over 18 participating in World Boxing events will be required to take a PCR genetic test to determine sex at birth. If an athlete’s eligibility is challenged, they will be suspended from competition until the dispute is resolved.

IOC Monitoring Implementation

In a statement, the International Olympic Committee reiterated that setting eligibility criteria is the responsibility of each International Federation.