Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif should take new intercourse take a look at mandated by World Boxing earlier than competing once more

Olympic gold-medalist Algerian Imane Khelif shall be banned from all World Boxing competitions till the boxer undergoes newly mandated genetic intercourse testing, World Boxing mentioned. The group introduced Friday that it’ll introduce obligatory intercourse testing to find out the eligibility of female and male boxers who need to participate of their competitions.

World Boxing mentioned Khelif could be topic to intercourse testing after issues arose from her potential participation within the upcoming Eindhoven Field Cup in June. The group mentioned it contacted the Algerian Boxing Federation to let it know Khelif won’t be allowed to take part within the feminine class at any World Boxing occasion till present process intercourse testing.

“Imane Khelif might not take part within the feminine class on the Eindhoven Field Cup, 5-10 June 2025 and any World Boxing occasion till Imane Khelif undergoes genetic intercourse screening in accordance with World Boxing’s guidelines and testing procedures,” a letter from World Boxing to the Algerian Boxing Federation states. 

The choice to mandate testing got here partially as a result of controversy surrounding Khelif after she received a gold medal on the Paris Olympics. 

Khelif got here beneath intense scrutiny over misconceptions about gender, fueled by claims from the Worldwide Boxing Affiliation, which has been completely banned from the Olympics, that each Khelif and one other boxer failed unspecified eligibility checks for the ladies’s competitors eventually 12 months’s world championships. 

Khelif boxed for years on the worldwide stage with none gender points or questions till the 12 months earlier than the Olympics, when she was disqualified from the IBA’s world championships.  

World Boxing mentioned athletes have to take a polymerase chain response (PCR) genetic take a look at to find out their intercourse at delivery and their eligibility to compete, the group mentioned. The take a look at, which may be performed by nasal/mouth swab, saliva or blood, reveals the presence of the Y chromosome. The outcomes will decide the organic intercourse. 

Research have proven the PCR take a look at to find out intercourse is extremely correct. A 2023 research printed in Genes discovered intercourse evaluation achieved an accuracy of 72% on non-adults and 97% on adults. 

“World Boxing respects the dignity of all people and its overriding precedence is to make sure security and aggressive equity to all athletes,” the group mentioned within the assertion. 

CBS Information reached out to the Algerian Boxing Federation for remark. 

Obligatory testing procedures will start July 1, 2025.