Imane Khelif Faces Mandatory Genetic Testing Before Competing in World Boxing Events
Olympic champion Imane Khelif must undergo genetic sex screening to compete in World Boxing events, following new regulations by the sport's governing body.
Overview
World Boxing has mandated genetic sex testing for all athletes, specifically targeting Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif, who must pass the test to compete in upcoming events. This decision follows scrutiny over Khelif's eligibility after her gold medal win at the Paris Olympics. The new policy aims to ensure safety and fairness in competitions, with testing to be conducted via a PCR test. Khelif's participation in the Eindhoven Box Cup is contingent on passing this screening, amid ongoing debates about gender eligibility in sports.
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Analysis
- The articles discuss the new genetic sex testing requirements for boxer Imane Khelif before she can compete again.
- They highlight the ongoing controversies and complexities regarding sex eligibility in sports, particularly in boxing.
- The tone remains neutral, focusing on procedural aspects without strong emotional expressions or opinions.
Articles (3)
Center (2)
"…World Boxing said Khelif would be subject to sex testing after concerns arose from the boxer's potential participation in the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup in June."
CBS News·1M·"…World Boxing announced mandatory sex testing for all athletes Friday."
NBC News·1M·FAQ
World Boxing has introduced mandatory genetic sex testing for all boxers over the age of 18 competing in its events, requiring a PCR test that detects the presence of the SRY gene on the Y chromosome to determine biological sex. This testing aims to ensure safety, fairness, and a competitive level playing field in sex-specific boxing categories.
Imane Khelif, the Olympic women's welterweight gold medalist, is affected because she must pass the mandatory genetic sex screening before participating in World Boxing events. This follows scrutiny over her gender eligibility after the Paris Olympics and a previous disputed gender eligibility test. The new policy currently prevents her from competing at the Eindhoven Box Cup until she undergoes and passes this genetic sex test.
World Boxing stated that the new testing policy reflects concerns over the safety and wellbeing of all boxers, including Imane Khelif, aiming to protect the mental and physical health of participants. It was introduced under the Executive Board's authority to amend competition rules in response to evolving conditions and to address fairness and safety in female and male boxing categories.
Imane Khelif is currently barred from competing in the female category of the Eindhoven Box Cup scheduled for June 5–10, 2025, and any other World Boxing events until she undergoes the required genetic sex testing and complies with World Boxing's eligibility criteria.
The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test used by World Boxing detects specific genetic material, in this case, the SRY gene located on the Y chromosome. The presence of the SRY gene serves as an indicator of biological sex, helping determine eligibility for sex-specific boxing categories.
History
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