Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has been temporarily barred from competing in World Boxing events, including the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup, pending the outcome of a newly mandated genetic sex test. The decision, announced by World Boxing on May 30, marks the enforcement of the organization’s forthcoming “Sex, Age, and Weight” policy that aims to ensure safety and fairness in sports.
Contrary to viral social media claims that Khelif was banned by the World Boxing Organization for “not being a woman,” the present sanction comes from World Boxing, a separate governing body recognized by the International Olympic Committee earlier this year.
World Boxing stated in a letter to the Algerian Boxing Federation that Khelif would be ineligible for female-category bouts until completing genetic screening via a PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, test, which detects the presence of Y chromosome material, specifically, the SRY gene, to determine an athlete’s biological sex. The policy is set to go into effect on July 1, 2025, but the organization invoked emergency powers to apply the rule early in Khelif’s case due to public scrutiny and safety concerns.
“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,” World Boxing stated.
Khelif’s eligibility came under scrutiny following a gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 International Boxing Association World Championships under vague eligibility rules. The IBA, which was permanently banned from the Olympics for governance issues, never released full details, leading to widespread speculation.
That speculation intensified this spring as Khelif’s name appeared on rosters for World Boxing events, prompting the governing body to move quickly with its newly designed testing framework.
World Boxing’s policy requires all athletes over 18 seeking to compete in sex-specific categories to undergo a genetic test administered by their national federation.
Athletes with XX chromosomes, or no Y chromosome material, will be eligible to compete in the female category. Athletes with a Y chromosome or evidence of male androgenization will be eligible for the male category.
Athletes and federations that fail to provide valid sex certifications risk ineligibility and possible sanctions.
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The policy drew high-profile support from bestselling Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who responded to the news on the social media platform X, writing: “It’s a win for women because they won’t be battered to death in the ring by men. If you had any idea what physical tests women go through routinely in their lives, you’d know a cheek swab is no bigger deal than flossing your teeth.”
Her post quickly went viral, reigniting debate over sex testing in sports and the broader question of transgender and intersex athlete participation in women’s categories.
