Mandatory Genetic Testing for Gender-Controversial Athletes... World Boxing Introduces New Standards

Gender Test Required for Paris Olympic Gold Medalist
"Must Pass Gender Test to Compete in Future Events"

The newly established international boxing organization, World Boxing, has requested a genetic test from Imane Khelif of Algeria, the gold medalist in the women's 66kg boxing category at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who was involved in a gender controversy, is posing for a commemorative photo biting the gold medal at the medal ceremony of the women's boxing 66kg category at the 2024 Paris Olympics held at Stade Roland-Garros in France on August 9, 2024. Photo by KPPA

On May 31 (local time), the Associated Press reported that World Boxing has made gender testing mandatory for all athletes participating in international competitions. Under the new regulations, Khelif must also undergo the test in order to compete. World Boxing stated, "Khelif will need to pass a gender test before she can participate in upcoming competitions, including the Boxing Cup to be held in Eindhoven, Netherlands, starting June 7," and explained, "The introduction of mandatory testing is part of a new gender policy aimed at ensuring the safety of all participants and creating a fair competitive environment."

At the Paris Olympics held last year, Khelif, along with Lin Yuting of Taiwan, won gold medals in the women's 55kg boxing category amid ongoing gender controversy. The International Boxing Association (IBA), which previously governed Olympic boxing before World Boxing, barred both Khelif and Lin Yuting from competing at the 2023 World Championships, stating that both athletes possessed XY chromosomes and therefore did not meet 'unspecified eligibility requirements.' However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed both athletes to compete in the women's boxing events at the Paris Olympics based on the gender listed in their passports. Ultimately, both athletes dominated their categories and claimed gold medals.

Foreign media reported, "Khelif is aiming to return to international competition through the Eindhoven Boxing Cup, with the goal of competing at the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics. However, some athletes and countries have voiced opposition to her participation. World Boxing is under pressure from national federations to establish clear gender eligibility standards."

In response, World Boxing has decided to implement a procedure requiring athletes aged 18 and older to undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic test to verify their chromosomal sex at birth. World Boxing added, "From now on, only athletes with XX chromosomes, athletes without a Y chromosome, and athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD) who do not undergo male androgenization will be allowed to compete in the women's category."

If a male chromosome is detected in an athlete who wishes to participate in the women's division, the athlete's sample will be submitted to independent experts for further genetic, hormonal, anatomical, and endocrinological analysis. Gender testing must be conducted by each country's boxing federation, and the results must be submitted to World Boxing. Athletes have the right to appeal the results.

Boxing is the second Olympic sport to introduce gender identification genetic testing. The first was World Athletics. In 2023, World Athletics banned transgender athletes who had been exposed to male hormones during puberty from competing in women's events, and earlier this year, it decided to strictly regulate the participation of athletes who were born female but have naturally high male-level testosterone levels.

Meanwhile, World Boxing is a new international sports organization that was provisionally granted the authority to oversee Olympic boxing after the IOC expelled the IBA due to corruption and other issues.