Olympic gold medalist banned until sex-tested: The wild fight over Imane Khelif’s right to box as a woman

World Boxing, the newly recognized governing body for Olympic boxing, has implemented a mandatory sex-testing policy.

This decision comes just days before Algerian Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif was set to compete at the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands.

Who is Imane Khelif

Khelif, 26, became a symbol of resilience during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she clinched gold in the women's 66 kg welterweight division. Her participation followed a controversial disqualification by the now-suspended International Boxing Association (IBA) in 2023, which alleged she failed a chromosome-based gender test.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), however, questioned the IBA's testing credibility and allowed Khelif to compete, citing her Algerian passport listing her as female.

"I am a woman like any other woman," Khelif declared after her Olympic victory. "I was born a woman, I have lived as a woman, I compete as a woman. There is no doubt about that."

The controversy resurfaced recently when Khelif was entered into the Eindhoven competition. World Boxing responded by introducing sex testing under "special or emergency circumstances," acknowledging that its comprehensive "Sex, Age and Weight" policies are still in development.

The organization has informed the Algerian Boxing Federation that Khelif will not be allowed to participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup or any World Boxing event until she undergoes sex testing.

What is the new sex testing policy?

The new policy mandates that athletes over 18 must undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic testing to determine sex at birth. National federations are responsible for conducting these tests, and failure to comply could lead to sanctions against both the country and the athlete. World Boxing reserves the right to conduct its testing to confirm certification.

French publication Le Correspondant claimed that Khelif was born with 5-Alpha reductase type 2 deficiency in 2023, a rare intersex condition characterized by the presence of XY chromosomes and internal testes.

However, the IOC had previously stopped mandatory chromosome testing before the 2000 Olympics, citing concerns over the accuracy and ethical implications of such tests.

While some argue that sex testing ensures a level playing field, others contend that it infringes on athletes' rights and dignity.