World Boxing has ignited global controversy with a new mandatory genetic testing policy for female athletes, drawing backlash after naming Olympic boxer Imane Khelif in its public rollout.
At a Glance
- World Boxing will require all female boxers over 18 to undergo genetic testing starting June 2025.
- Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif was named in the policy’s announcement, prompting a formal apology.
- The policy includes screening for athletes with XY chromosomes and an appeals process.
- Critics warn the rule could violate athlete privacy and spark legal and ethical challenges.
- Khelif remains eligible to compete in the 2028 Olympics but has faced prior gender eligibility disputes.
Policy Rollout and Public Apology
World Boxing’s leadership is facing mounting scrutiny after revealing a policy that mandates genetic sex testing for female boxers beginning next year. Athletes over 18 will need to submit DNA samples—via swabs or blood draws—to verify their chromosomal sex before competing in women’s events.
The rollout turned explosive when World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst cited Algerian boxer Imane Khelif as part of the justification for the policy. Following intense backlash, van der Vorst issued a public apology to Khelif and the Algerian Boxing Federation, admitting that naming her breached her privacy. “Her privacy should have been protected,” he wrote, pledging to “show our true respect” through direct outreach and dialogue.
Watch a report: World Boxing apologises to Imane Khelif.
Gender, Fairness, and Olympic Stakes
The new policy is rooted in a growing debate over fairness in women’s sports, particularly where athletes are found to have XY chromosomes but identify as female. Van der Vorst claims the measure is necessary to “ensure the safety of all participants and deliver a competitive level playing field”.
The stakes are high, as World Boxing is the provisional body managing the sport’s pathway to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This gives the group considerable influence over Olympic eligibility criteria, placing pressure on athletes, federations, and human rights observers to respond.
Khelif herself has not commented publicly, but she has long been at the center of gender eligibility debates. She and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting were previously disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the IBA, although both were cleared by the International Olympic Committee to compete in Paris.
Athlete Rights in the Crossfire
The announcement has provoked fierce criticism from civil rights groups and national boxing federations, who say the policy risks weaponizing private medical data. Critics argue that this could chill participation in women’s sports, especially for intersex or transgender athletes, and may lead to legal challenges based on privacy and discrimination.
A leaked medical report suggesting Khelif carries XY chromosomes has intensified scrutiny, though her eligibility for the 2028 Olympics remains intact. Whether World Boxing’s policy survives political, ethical, and legal tests remains uncertain—but its announcement has clearly placed gender identity and athletic fairness on a collision course.
