The Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif must take a new sex test ordered by world boxing before competing again

Olympic Gold Arginic Imane Khelif It will be prohibited from all world boxing competitions until the boxer is subjected to newly mandatory genetic sexual evidence, said World Boxing. The organization announced on Friday that it will introduce mandatory sexual evidence to determine the eligibility of male and female boxers who wish to participate in their competitions.

World Boxing said Khelif would be subject to sexual evidence after concerns of the possible participation of the boxer in the next Eindhoven Cup in June. The organization said it contacted the Algerian Boxing Federation to inform Khelif will not be able to participate in the women’s category in any world boxing event until they undergo sexual evidence.

“Imane Khelif may not participate in the Women’s Category in the Eindhoven Cup, June 5-10, 2025 and any World Boxing event until IMANE Khelif undergoes the detection of genetic sex in accordance with the rules and proof procedures of World Boxing”, a world boxing letter to the states of the Algerian Boxing Federation.

The decision to demand evidence was partly due to the surrounding controversy Khelif After the boxer won a gold medal in the Olympic Paris Games.

Khelif was under intense scrutiny about erroneous concepts about gender, promoted by the statements of the International Boxing Association, which has been permanently prohibited from the Olympic Games, which both Khelif and another boxer failed in the eligibility tests not specified for female competition in the world championships last year.

Khelif embedded for years on the international stage without problems or gender questions until the year prior to the Olympic Games, when they were disqualified from the IBD World Championship.

World Boxing said athletes should take a genetic test of polymerase chain (PCR) chain to determine their sex at birth and eligibility to compete, the organization said. The test, which can be performed by nasal/mouth, saliva or blood, reveals the presence of the Y chromosome. The results will determine biological sex.

Studies have shown that the PCR test to determine sex is highly precise. A 2023 study published in genes found that sex evaluation achieved a 72% accuracy in non -adults and 97% in adults.

“World boxing respects the dignity of all people and their primary priority is to guarantee competitive security and equity for all athletes,” said the organization in the statement.

News themezone contacted the Algerian Boxing Federation to comment.

The mandatory proof procedures will begin on July 1, 2025.

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