Algeria’s Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has been asked to undergo a mandatory genetic sex screening if she is to continue competing in international boxing events, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The organisation, which has been provisionally recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to oversee the sport at the next Olympics, introduced a new policy on Friday requiring all boxers aged 18 and above to undergo a genetic test to confirm their eligibility to compete in male or female categories.
World Boxing specifically named Khelif, who won the women’s welterweight gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, stating she would be barred from future competitions unless she complied with the new regulations.
“Imane Khelif may not participate in the female category at any World Boxing event until she undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures,” the body said in its statement, adding that the Algerian Boxing Federation had been formally informed.
Under the policy, boxers must undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test — a method used to detect specific genetic material — to determine the presence of the SRY gene, which indicates the Y chromosome and is used to establish chromosomal sex at birth.
National boxing federations will be tasked with conducting the testing and submitting certifications confirming an athlete’s sex prior to entry in any World Boxing-sanctioned event.
The development follows months of controversy surrounding Khelif’s eligibility, which came to a head following her gold medal performance in Paris. Her success, alongside Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, sparked a wider debate on gender eligibility in women’s sport, drawing global attention and commentary from political figures including former US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Trump, who in February signed an executive order barring transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports in the United States, had also made public comments about Khelif. In response, the 26-year-old boxer firmly stated that she is not transgender.
“For me, I see myself as a girl, just like any other girl. I was born a girl, raised as a girl, and have lived my entire life as one,” Khelif said in March while addressing growing speculation about her gender.
“I have competed in many tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics and other major competitions, as well as four World Championships,” she said. “All of these took place before I started winning and earning titles. But once I began achieving success, the campaigns against me started.”
Khelif, who remains focused on defending her title at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, has not yet responded to the latest development. Reuters reported that efforts to reach her for comment were unsuccessful. The Algerian Boxing Federation has also not issued a statement on the matter.
World Boxing’s new policy is likely to intensify the global debate on gender identity and inclusion in sport. While some federations have introduced similar measures in recent years, critics argue that such policies risk marginalising athletes who do not conform to traditional gender binaries or who may be subjected to invasive scrutiny despite identifying and living as women throughout their lives.
