World Boxing, the governing body set to oversee boxing at the 2028 Olympics, has issued an apology after publicly naming Algerian Olympic champion Imane Khelif in its announcement about mandatory sex testing for all athletes. The organization stated that Khelif could not compete in the female category without undergoing a genetic test, prompting backlash over privacy concerns.
The controversy stems from a 2023 chromosomal analysis that reportedly showed Khelif as biologically male. Despite this, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed her to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she won gold in the women’s 66kg category. The IOC’s decision was based on her passport identifying her as female.
World Boxing’s announcement of mandatory genetic testing for all athletes over 18, which includes PCR tests using nasal or mouth swabs, saliva, or blood samples, has been met with criticism. The organization’s president, Boris van der Vorst, personally apologized to the Algerian Boxing Federation, acknowledging the failure to safeguard Khelif’s privacy.
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Public figures like author J.K. Rowling have also weighed in, criticizing Khelif’s participation in women’s boxing and accusing sports media of promoting misogyny. Khelif responded by celebrating UNICEF’s Global Day of Parents via social media, choosing not to directly address the controversy.
Khelif has always denied being a biological male, stating after her Olympic victory, “I am fully qualified to take part. I’m a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived a woman, I competed as a woman, there’s no doubt about that.”
The Algerian Boxing Federation has not yet commented on the situation. The organization joined World Boxing in September, becoming one of more than 100 national federations to do so since its founding in 2023.
As the debate continues, Khelif remains focused on her boxing career, aiming for the 2028 Olympics despite the ongoing scrutiny.