World Boxing makes sex testing mandatory for competitions, citing safety and fairness concerns for all participants. The decision is already impacting top-tier athletes, including Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif, who has been told she cannot compete without undergoing the mandated test.
According to a report from Reuters, the global boxing authority said the new sex verification policy applies to all athletes over 18 who wish to compete in World Boxing events — including the 2028 Olympics. This decision arrives less than a year after both Khelif and Lin Yu-ting won gold medals in Paris. World Boxing’s statement explained that all athletes must now take a PCR genetic test. The test can be administered through various methods — nasal or oral swab, saliva, or blood — and aims to detect the presence of the SRY gene, a marker for the Y chromosome
Mandatory Sex Testing Explained: What Athletes Must Undergo
This rule is not optional. Athletes who fail or refuse to take the test will be deemed ineligible to participate in competitions, such as the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup scheduled for June 5-10. Khelif’s eligibility is currently on hold until she complies with the regulation.
The organization says this step is “in the interest of athlete safety,” especially in a full-contact sport like boxing where biological differences may lead to unfair or unsafe advantages.
World Boxing Defends Its Position
“This isn’t about discrimination. It’s about physical safety and fairness,” a World Boxing representative said. “The rules were developed to protect athletes and ensure a level playing field.”
The policy also includes specific eligibility breakdowns:
- Athletes with a Y chromosome or those with Differences in Sexual Development (DSD) involving male androgenization are only allowed in the male division.
- Female-born athletes, or those with DSDs without male androgenization, may compete in the female division.
What’s Next for Affected Athletes Like Imane Khelif?
Khelif, one of Algeria’s most celebrated boxers, is now caught in the middle of this regulatory shift. Though she hasn’t publicly commented on the mandate, sources say she’s consulting with her federation and legal advisors.
World Boxing has made it clear: no test, no competition.
