Imane Khelif won welterweight gold at the Olympic Games in Paris last year Olympic champion Imane Khelif will not be allowed to fight in the female category at World Boxing competitions until she undergoes a mandatory sex test. Khelif, 26,won women's welterweight goldat the Paris Olympics last year amid arow over gender eligibility. Algeria's Khelif, along with Taiwanese fighter Lin Yu-ting, was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by previous world governing body the International Boxing Association (IBA) for allegedly failing gender eligibility tests. She was cleared to compete in Paris by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which stripped the IBA of its status as the sport's amateur world governing body in June 2023 over concerns over how it was run. The IOC said competitors were eligible for the women's division in Paris if their passports said they were female. On Friday, World Boxing said that "all athletes over the age of 18" who wish to participate in competitions it owns or sanctions will "need to undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) genetic test to determine their sex at birth and their eligibility to compete". Khelif had been set to make her competitive comeback at the Eindhoven Box Cup from 5-10 June. Khelif has always competed in the women's division and there is no suggestion she identifies as anything other than a woman. Some reports took the IBA stating that Khelif has XY chromosomes to speculate she might have differences of sexual development (DSD) like runner Caster Semenya. However, the BBC has not been able to confirm whether this is or is not the case. The IOC made it clear last yearthis is "not a transgender case". World Boxing was granted provisional recognition as the sport's international governing federation by the IOC in February 2025. "The introduction of mandatory testing will be part of a new policy on 'sex, age and weight' to ensure the safety of all participants and deliver a competitive level playing field for men and women," the World Boxing statement said. "The policy is in the final stages of development and has been crafted by a specially convened working group of the World Boxing medical and anti-doping committee, which has examined data and medical evidence from an extensive range of sources and consulted widely with other sports and experts across the world." The statement added that World Boxing "respects the dignity of all individuals" and its overriding priority was "to ensure safety and competitive fairness to all athletes". "To do this, it is essential that strict categories, determined by sex are maintained and enforced, and means that World Boxing will only operate competitions for athletes categorised as male or female," it said. "This decision reflects concerns over the safety and wellbeing of all boxers, including Imane Khelif, and aims to protect the mental and physical health of all participants." In its statement, World Boxing published a letter it had sent to both Khelif and the Algerian Boxing Federation. In the letter World Boxing said the new eligibility rules were developed "with the express purpose of safeguarding athletes in combat sports" given the "physical risks associated with Olympic-style boxing". It also said in the letter that in "the event the athlete's sex certification is challenged by the athlete's federation or by World Boxing" the athlete shall be "ineligible to compete until the dispute is resolved". The gender eligibility tests on Khelif that led to her disqualification from the 2023 World Championships were conducted by the Russian-led IBA. The IBA said Khelif "failed to meet the eligibility criteria for participating in women's competition". The IOC questioned the legitimacy and credibility of the IBA's tests, saying they could not be relied upon. Khelif and Lin both went on to win gold in Paris, with their story becoming the central focus of boxing at the games, attracting scrutiny and criticism from around the world. Boxing has featured at every Olympics since 1904, except 1912, but the IOC has run the sport at the past two Games. The sport was initially not part of the programme for LA 2028 when the schedule was first announced in 2022. But the IOC granted provisional recognition for World Boxing as the sport's global governing body earlier this year before voting for its inclusion. In February 2025, the IBA launched a legal case against the IOC or allowing Khelif to compete citing safety concerns over gender eligibility. Khelif called them "baseless accusations that are false and offensive". DSD is a group of rare conditions, whereby a person's hormones, genes and/or reproductive organs may be a mix of male and female characteristics. Some of those affected prefer the term "intersex", which is an umbrella term used to describe people who are born with biological variations in their sex characteristics that don't fit typical male or female categories. Other sports have rules in place for athletes with DSD, whose elevated testosterone levels can lead to increased muscle mass and strength. World Athletics, for example, only allows athletes with DSD to compete in female track events if they reduce their testosterone levels. World Boxing provided a detailed explanation about the testing in its statement. "The PCR test is a laboratory technique used to detect specific genetic material, in this case the SRY gene, that reveals the presence of the Y chromosome, which is an indicator of biological sex," it said. "The test can be a be conducted by nasal/mouth swab, saliva or blood. "Athletes that are deemed to be male at birth, as evidenced by the presence of Y chromosome genetic material (the SRY gene) or with a difference of sexual development (DSD) where male androgenization occurs, will be eligible to compete in the male category. "Athletes that are deemed to be female at birth, as evidenced by the presence of XX chromosomes or the absence of Y chromosome genetic material (the SRY gene) or with a DSD where male androgenization does not occur, will be eligible to compete in the female category." Under the new policy, national federations will be responsible for testing and will be required to confirm the sex of their athletes when entering them into World Boxing competitions by providing a certification of their chromosomal sex, as determined by a PCR test. World Boxing said failure to provide that will render the athlete "ineligible to compete" and may lead to sanctions against the athlete or their national federation. The organisation added: "Where test results for boxers that want to compete in the female category reveal Y chromosome genetic material and a potential DSD, the initial screenings will be referred to independent clinical specialists for genetic screening, hormonal profiles, anatomical examination or other valuation of endocrine profiles by medical specialists. "As part of its new policy World Boxing will reserve the right to do genetic sex screening on new or existing athlete samples to confirm certification. "The policy will include an appeals process. Support will be offered to any boxers that provide an adverse test result."
Khelif required to take sex test for World Boxing fights
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Imane Khelif Required to Undergo Sex Test for World Boxing Eligibility"
Bbc News
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
Imane Khelif, the 26-year-old Olympic gold medalist in women's welterweight boxing, has been mandated to undergo a sex test before she can compete in the female category at World Boxing events. This decision follows her disqualification from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA), which claimed she did not meet gender eligibility criteria. Despite being cleared to compete at the Paris Olympics by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which criticized the IBA's testing protocols, Khelif's situation remains contentious. The IOC's guidelines allowed her participation based solely on her passport identification as female, but the introduction of new testing requirements by World Boxing has raised questions about her eligibility. Khelif had planned to return to competition at the Eindhoven Box Cup but now faces uncertainty regarding her future in the sport due to the mandatory PCR genetic testing mandated for all athletes over 18 seeking to compete in World Boxing-sanctioned events.
World Boxing's new policy is designed to ensure safety and competitive fairness within the sport, requiring all athletes to undergo genetic testing to confirm their sex at birth. This policy arises from concerns regarding the physical risks associated with boxing, especially amid allegations of differences in sexual development (DSD) that could impact competition. Khelif's case has attracted significant attention, with some reports speculating about her genetic makeup following the IBA's claim that she has XY chromosomes, similar to the situation faced by intersex athletes in other sports. World Boxing has stated that it respects the dignity of all individuals and aims to protect the health and safety of all participants. The organization has outlined specific protocols for testing and appeals, indicating a commitment to maintaining strict gender categories in competitions. Khelif's future participation hinges on the results of her upcoming tests, which will determine her eligibility to compete in the women's division moving forward.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a significant issue surrounding gender eligibility in sports, particularly focusing on the case of Olympic champion Imane Khelif. It raises questions about the policies governing competition eligibility and the implications of mandatory sex testing in boxing.
Intent Behind the Article
The primary purpose seems to be to inform the public about the new regulations that World Boxing is implementing regarding gender testing for athletes. This could reflect an ongoing concern about maintaining fairness and safety in women's sports, particularly in light of controversies surrounding transgender athletes and athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD). By emphasizing Khelif's situation, the article may aim to provoke discussions on gender identity, inclusivity, and the complexities of defining eligibility in competitive sports.
Public Perception and Implications
The article may be trying to evoke a mixed perception among the public. On one hand, it may aim to garner support for the new testing policies as a means of ensuring fairness; on the other hand, it could also raise concerns about discrimination and the invasive nature of such tests. The mention of Khelif’s case alongside the broader context of gender eligibility tests may create an impression that such policies disproportionately affect certain athletes, potentially alienating communities that feel targeted by these regulations.
Hidden Agendas or Information
While the article does not explicitly hide information, the focus on Khelif's case and the mention of her chromosomes could lead to speculation about her identity and competitiveness without providing a full understanding of her situation. The lack of clarity about Khelif’s specific circumstances, such as whether she has any DSD, might suggest an attempt to simplify complex issues surrounding gender and identity in sports for broader audience consumption.
Credibility of the News
The information presented appears to be credible, as it references official bodies like the International Olympic Committee and the International Boxing Association. However, the reliance on speculation about Khelif’s chromosomes and potential implications could be seen as a weakness, raising questions about the journalistic integrity of how the story is framed.
Social and Economic Impact
The introduction of mandatory testing could have broader implications for women's sports. If this policy leads to a decrease in participation among certain athletes, it could affect the overall competitive landscape and audience engagement. Economically, sports organizations may face backlash or support depending on how these regulations are perceived, potentially impacting sponsorship and funding.
Community Support and Target Audience
This article may find more support among communities advocating for strict fairness in sports, particularly those concerned about transgender athletes competing in women's categories. Conversely, it may alienate advocates for inclusivity who believe that such policies could be discriminatory.
Market Relevance
While the article does not directly relate to stock markets or financial markets, it could indirectly affect companies and sponsors involved in women's sports, depending on public sentiment regarding the new regulations. Companies that align themselves with progressive values might need to navigate consumer reactions carefully.
Geopolitical Context
The news surrounding gender testing in sports intersects with ongoing global dialogues about gender rights, equality, and identity politics. As societies grapple with these issues, such news stories become relevant in framing the narrative around gender equality, impacting broader socio-political discussions.
AI Influence in Reporting
There is a possibility that AI tools were involved in drafting or editing this article, especially in the way it highlights certain aspects of Khelif’s case over others. AI could have been used to analyze trends in sports reporting and tailor content to engage audiences effectively, possibly emphasizing sensational elements that capture interest but may not provide comprehensive context.
Overall, the article presents a nuanced and complex issue surrounding gender and sports, reflecting broader societal tensions. The credibility is bolstered by its references to recognized authorities, yet it leaves room for speculation and interpretation, which could be seen as manipulative in shaping public opinion on the sensitive topic of gender in sports.