Contents
- 1 A New Chapter for Boxing Governance: World Boxing Takes the Helm
- 2 The Controversial Backstory: Khelif’s Olympic Journey
- 3 New Sex-Testing Rules Prompted by Renewed Debate
- 4 Medical Details and Public Debate: The Role of DSDs in Sport
- 5 A Divided Sporting Landscape: How Other Federations Approach Gender Policy
- 6 Long-Term Athlete Participation and Policy Implications
- 7 The Future of Fairness in Women’s Boxing
A New Chapter for Boxing Governance: World Boxing Takes the Helm
World Boxing, the newly formed body responsible for overseeing boxing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, has announced a mandatory sex-testing policy for female competitors. This bold move comes ahead of Algerian Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif’s return to the ring at the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands.
This development not only marks a significant policy shift in how gender eligibility is managed in competitive boxing but also reignites a complex global conversation around sex verification in sports, intersex athletes, and gender identity in athletic competitions.
The Controversial Backstory: Khelif’s Olympic Journey
Imane Khelif became a prominent figure during the Paris 2024 Olympics following a high-profile dispute with the International Boxing Association (IBA). In March 2023, the IBA disqualified her from a competition, citing her failure to pass a chromosome-based gender verification test.
The decision drew widespread scrutiny, particularly from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which had previously revoked the IBA’s status due to concerns about corruption. The IOC permitted Khelif to participate in the women’s category, recognizing the gender recorded on her Algerian passport. She went on to claim gold in the welterweight division and firmly declared, “I am a woman like any other I was born a female, have lived my entire life as a woman and still participate in competitions as a female athlete. There is no doubt about that.”
New Sex-Testing Rules Prompted by Renewed Debate
With Khelif slated to compete again, World Boxing rapidly enacted its new sex-testing regulations under what it called “special or emergency circumstances.” This swift implementation of the policy is intended to address the growing attention and ongoing discussions about athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs).
The organization clarified that while its full “Sex, Age, and Weight” policy framework remains under development, immediate action was deemed necessary. In a formal notice to the Algerian Boxing Federation, World Boxing stated that Khelif would be barred from competing in the women’s category at any event under its governance until she undergoes and complies with the new sex verification process.
Medical Details and Public Debate: The Role of DSDs in Sport
The controversy surrounding Khelif intensified after French outlet Le Correspondent leaked what it claimed was a 2023 medical report suggesting she had 5-Alpha Reductase Type 2 Deficiency—a rare intersex condition. This condition is typically associated with XY chromosomes, elevated testosterone levels, and internal testes, all of which challenge traditional definitions of sex used in competitive sports.
Such conditions fall under a broader umbrella of intersex traits or DSDs, which have become a focal point in debates across sports organizations about fair competition and athlete rights.
A Divided Sporting Landscape: How Other Federations Approach Gender Policy
While World Aquatics and World Athletics have developed clear guidelines around transgender and intersex athlete eligibility, the IOC discontinued mandatory chromosome testing in 2000. This shift was primarily driven by the scientific consensus that simple genetic swab tests fail to reflect the full complexity of human biology accurately. Conditions such as DSDs may present chromosomal anomalies without conferring a clear competitive advantage, challenging the fairness of one-size-fits-all policies.
The IOC’s justification for allowing Khelif to compete in Paris included:
- Lack of transparency in the IBA’s testing process
- Absence of due process and athlete protections
- Her consistent legal and biological identification as a female in Algeria
Long-Term Athlete Participation and Policy Implications
Imane Khelif has competed internationally for years without significant controversy, including her appearance at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, where she reached the quarterfinals. Her case, however, now stands at the intersection of sport, science, and ethics.
The new policies set by World Boxing may serve as a precedent-setting model for how emerging sporting federations choose to regulate gender eligibility in the future. However, critics argue that rapid policy implementations without completed scientific frameworks may undermine athlete rights and introduce further ambiguity.
The Future of Fairness in Women’s Boxing
The return of Imane Khelif and the immediate introduction of sex testing in boxing signal a transformative moment in the governance of international sports. As federations attempt to balance biological integrity with human rights and inclusion, the global sporting community must tread carefully.
The outcome of Khelif’s case—and whether she will be allowed to compete after undergoing sex testing—may well shape how future Olympians are evaluated, categorized, and allowed to participate.
With growing attention to gender identity, fair play, and athlete autonomy, the sporting world finds itself navigating uncharted territory where science, ethics, and competition collide.
