Imane Khelif is the center of attention once again after the president of World Boxing used her as an example in the sport’s governing body’s sex testing announcement; later apologizing.
Khelif’s inclusion in the Paris Olympics saw her bulldoze her way to gold, but accompanying her victory was much scrutiny from viewers. The women’s boxer looked on a different physicality level to her opponents, fueling rumors that the Algerian might be a biological male.
This wasn’t the first time Imane Khelif had been accused of hiding her true gender, as the athlete was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships for failing an eligibility test.
Following the Olympics last year, World Boxing underwent a major policy update. Khelif’s name was singled out during their sex screening announcement, forcing their president, Boris van der Vorst, to issue an apology.
“I am writing to you all personally to offer a formal and sincere apology for this,” van der Vorst stated in an apologetic response to the Algerian Boxing Federation. “[I] acknowledge that her privacy should have been protected.”
“Reaching out to you personally, we show our true respect to you and your athletes.”
World Boxing has introduced a new policy that requires all participants to undergo a mandatory gender test. Imane Khelif or any other active fighter will not be permitted to compete before taking the test.
“Imane Khelif may not participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup, 5-10 June 2025,” World Boxing said in a letter to the Algerian Boxing Federation. “And any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures.”
Related: Imane Khelif ‘confirmed’ as biological man in leaked medical report
The amateur boxing regulator has been approved for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Ahead of the games, the governing body aimed to ensure the “safety of all participants and deliver a competitive level playing field for men and women,” introducing a new guideline regarding sex, age, and weight.
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