Olympic Gold Medalist Imane Khelif Faces Sex Testing Requirement for World Boxing Competition
May 31, 2025 – Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who won gold in the women’s 66-kilogram category at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has been barred from competing in the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup and other World Boxing events until she undergoes mandatory sex testing. The decision, announced by World Boxing on Friday, comes as the organization, set to oversee boxing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, introduced a new policy requiring all athletes over 18 to complete a PCR genetic test to determine their sex at birth and eligibility for women’s competitions.
Khelif’s Olympic victory was marred by controversy after the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified her from the 2023 World Championships, alleging she failed a gender eligibility test due to XY chromosomes and elevated testosterone levels. The IBA, stripped of its governing status by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2023 for corruption and governance issues, faced criticism for its opaque testing process. The IOC, which oversaw the Paris Olympics boxing events, allowed Khelif to compete based on her passport identifying her as female, with IOC President Thomas Bach defending her as a cisgender woman.
World Boxing’s new policy, prompted by Khelif’s entry into the Eindhoven Box Cup starting June 5, 2025, aims to address eligibility disputes under “special or emergency circumstances.” The organization notified the Algerian Boxing Federation that Khelif cannot participate in the female category until the testing is completed and any disputes resolved. The policy, still in development, is intended to ensure the “mental and physical health” of all participants, though World Boxing emphasized that the decision does not prejudge the test’s outcome.
The move has reignited debates over gender eligibility in sports. Khelif, who has competed in women’s boxing for years, including at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, has consistently identified as a woman, stating after her Paris victory, “I was born a woman, I live as a woman, and I compete as a woman.” A 2024 report by French publication Le Correspondant claimed Khelif has a rare genetic condition, 5-Alpha reductase type 2 deficiency, potentially involving XY chromosomes and internal testes, but the IOC dismissed these claims as unverified. Khelif is pursuing legal action against those spreading such reports, citing online abuse and harassment.
Sentiment on X is divided. Some users support the testing, arguing it ensures fairness in women’s sports, with posts like, “World Boxing announces mandatory sex testing… Imane Khelif will NOT be allowed to compete in the female category until he undergoes testing” (@libsoftiktok). Others defend Khelif, criticizing the policy as discriminatory and rooted in misinformation, with one user noting, “Imane Khelif is a cisgender woman, recognized as female by the IOC” (@TransAthlete). These posts reflect ongoing public tension but are not conclusive evidence.
The IOC, which ended mandatory chromosome testing in 2000 due to its scientific limitations, continues to advocate for inclusive eligibility based on passport gender. However, World Boxing’s stricter approach signals a shift as it prepares for its Olympic role. Khelif’s participation in future events hinges on the test results, which could set a precedent for how governing bodies navigate complex gender eligibility issues. For updates, follow NPR’s State of the World or visit bbc.com/sport.
