World ‌Boxing Apologizes ⁢After Sex testing⁤ Policy Announcement

⁤ ​ Updated June 03,⁢ 2025
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World Boxing President Boris​ van der Vorst has ​issued an apology‌ to the Algerian Boxing Federation after olympic champion Imane Khelif ⁣was specifically named in the organization’s​ announcement of ‌a new mandatory sex ‌testing policy. The policy, intended to ensure fair competition and athlete⁢ safety, requires genetic testing⁣ for all boxers over 18.

khelif, who won gold at the‍ Paris Games, had previously faced scrutiny regarding⁤ her eligibility. Van der Vorst acknowledged the error in singling her out, stating in a letter to the Algerian Boxing Federation ‍that her privacy should have been protected. He ‍expressed hope that his outreach demonstrated‌ respect⁣ for the federation and its athletes.

The new policy ‌mandates a polymerase chain reaction ⁤(PCR) genetic test‍ to determine an athlete’s sex at birth. For‍ athletes intending to compete in women’s categories ⁣and ​found to have male chromosomal‌ material, further screenings by self-reliant clinical specialists ​will be ​required. ⁢an appeals process is included in the policy.

Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, another gold‍ medalist from Taiwan, were previously under scrutiny ⁤when the ​International Boxing Association⁢ disqualified them from the 2023 world ‍championships due to unspecified eligibility concerns.however, ​the International Olympic committee cleared them to compete in Paris using ‍existing Olympic ‌sex eligibility rules.

World boxing, provisionally approved to organize boxing at the⁢ 2028 Los‌ Angeles Games, ​faces pressure to establish clear⁣ sex eligibility standards.⁣ The mandatory testing, ‌set to begin July 1, aims to create a level playing field ‌for all competitors.

Some boxers ‍and​ federations have voiced concerns about Khelif’s participation, even as she plans to defend her gold medal⁢ in Los Angeles. She had intended to return‍ to international competition this month at the Eindhoven Box cup in the​ Netherlands.