World Boxing Federation introduces gender tests – reaction to Khelif controversy

Lausanne. The IOC-recognized boxing federation World Boxing has announced mandatory gender testing. "The introduction of the tests is part of a new policy on gender, age, and weight to ensure the safety of all participants and create a level playing field for men and women," it said in a released statement.

This is already having concrete consequences for Olympic champion Imane Khelif, who was at the center of a heated gender debate at the 2024 Paris Games. World Boxing announced that the Algerian will not be allowed to compete in the Eindhoven Box Cup (June 5-10).

She would not be allowed to participate in this event “and any other World Boxing event until she has undergone a genetic gender test in accordance with World Boxing rules and testing procedures,” a letter to the Algerian national federation said.

The debate surrounding Khelif and Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan caused a massive stir at the Paris Olympics. Both boxers were excluded from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA), which is no longer recognized by the IOC, following unspecified gender tests. According to the IBA, both failed to meet the required participation criteria and had "competitive advantages compared to other female participants."

The IOC called it an "arbitrary decision without due process" and allowed Khelif and Lin to compete in Paris. One reason given was that the gender stated in their passports is crucial for eligibility for competitions in many sports. Both won gold.

World Boxing, which was recognized as a partner by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in February, is now establishing more specific rules. "These new participation rules were developed with the express aim of protecting athletes in combat sports, particularly given the physical risks associated with Olympic boxing," the federation wrote in its statement.

Accordingly, all athletes over the age of 18 participating in a World Boxing-operated event will be required to undergo a PCR genetic test to determine their birth sex and eligibility to compete. The test can be conducted via nasal or oral swab, saliva, or blood.

Following the IBA suspension, the IOC was responsible for organizing the boxing tournaments in Paris in 2024 and Tokyo three years earlier. World Boxing would then take over in Los Angeles in 2028. Outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach emphasized in Paris that they wanted to keep boxing on the Olympic program – but only with a reliable partner.

RND/dpa