The president of World Boxing has issued an apology following the mention of Olympic champion Imane Khelif in their decision to implement mandatory sex testing. Khelif, who secured gold at the Paris Games last summer, was highlighted in World Boxing’s policy update released last Friday regarding the enforcement of sex testing. Boris van der Vorst, the president, reached out to the Algerian Boxing Federation on Monday to express regret over the oversight.
“I am writing to you all personally to offer a formal and sincere apology for this and acknowledge that her privacy should have been protected,” van der Vorst stated in correspondence intended to repair relationships and maintain respect towards Khelif and other athletes.
In Paris, Imane Khelif and her fellow gold medalist Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan found themselves under scrutiny, as the International Boxing Association had previously barred them from the 2023 world championships based on an undisclosed eligibility issue. However, the International Olympic Committee, referencing sex eligibility criteria from previous Olympics, allowed the athletes to compete.
World Boxing, which has received preliminary approval to organize boxing at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, has been under pressure to establish clear sex eligibility guidelines. A new directive mandates testing to commence on July 1, aiming to ensure participant safety and fairness in competition across genders.
World Boxing has outlined that all participants over 18 in their competitions will now be required to undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic test. This test, which can be conducted through a mouth swab, saliva, or blood sample, is designed to determine an athlete’s sex at birth. Should an analysis reveal male chromosomal material in an athlete wishing to compete in women’s categories, further screenings will be conducted by independent experts. These may include genetic examinations, hormonal profiling, anatomical evaluations, or other specialized assessments to ascertain endocrine profiles, accompanied by an appeals process.
Despite the controversy, Khelif plans to defend her title at the upcoming LA Games. Nonetheless, her eligibility has sparked discussions among athletes and federations, with some raising objections. She had also intended to return to international competition this month in the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands.