BOXING – WORLD Boxing will introduce mandatory sex testing for all boxers in its competitions, the body said yesterday, adding that Paris Olympics gold medallist Imane Khelif will not be allowed to compete until she undergoes such a test.
The global body, which will oversee boxing competitions in the 2028 Olympics after being granted provisional recognition by the IOC, said it aims to deliver a competitive level playing field for men and women.
The new policy comes less than a year after Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting both won gold in Paris amid a gender-eligibility row.
“Imane Khelif may not participate in the female category at... any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures,” World Boxing said in a statement.
World Boxing said they had written to the Algerian Boxing Federation stating that Khelif would not be allowed to compete at the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup from June 5-10 until she undergoes the test.
Women’s welterweight Olympic champion Khelif could not be reached for comment while the Algerian Boxing Federation did not immediately respond when contacted by Reuters.
The country’s federation joined World Boxing in September, one of more than 100 national federations that have joined the body since it was established in 2023.
In February, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. In March, Khelif said she was determined to defend her title at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
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