LONDON — World Boxing will now require all boxers competing in its sanctioned events to undergo genetic sex testing, the organization announced Friday. The policy will affect all athletes over 18 and includes testing for the Y chromosome to determine biological sex.
This major move comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding gender eligibility, including Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif, who will not be permitted to compete until she completes the test. Khelif and Lin Yu-ting both faced scrutiny during the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite winning gold medals.
World Boxing stated that the rule aims to ensure fairness and athlete safety in combat sports. The policy allows the executive board to implement changes immediately in “special or emergency circumstances.”
According to the guidelines, only athletes confirmed female at birth or with non-male androgenized differences in sex development (DSD) can compete in the women’s division. Male-at-birth athletes or those with male-type DSDs are designated for the men’s division.
The Algerian Boxing Federation, where Khelif is registered, has yet to respond. The athlete was previously disqualified in 2023 by the International Boxing Association but later cleared by the IOC to fight in Paris.
World Boxing, formed in 2023 and provisionally recognized by the International Olympic Committee, is set to oversee Olympic boxing for the 2028 Games.