Apology from World Boxing President
The president of the international governing body for boxing recently issued an apology concerning the inclusion of Olympic gold medalist, Imane Khelif, in a significant announcement regarding mandatory gender testing protocols. Khelif, who triumphed at the Paris Olympics, faced scrutiny regarding her eligibility due to past controversies surrounding her participation, which were amplified when World Boxing mentioned her name specifically in relation to their new policy release last Friday.
Clarification and Acknowledgment of Privacy Violation
On Monday, Boris van der Vorst, the president of World Boxing, reached out personally to the Algerian Boxing Federation, admitting that highlighting Khelif was inappropriate and violated her privacy. In a letter acquired by The Associated Press, he expressed his apologies, stating:
“I am writing to you all personally to offer a formal and sincere apology for this and acknowledge that her privacy should have been protected.”
He stressed that this effort was an attempt to demonstrate genuine respect for Khelif and other athletes.
Background on Khelif and Gender Eligibility Scrutiny
Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, another gold medalist from Taiwan, had already been under scrutiny at the Paris Games, as the former governing body, the International Boxing Association (IBA), had previously disqualified them from the 2023 World Championships, citing an undisclosed eligibility test failure. Nonetheless, the International Olympic Committee intervened, applying previously used sex eligibility regulations from past Olympic events to clear both competitors for participation.
Mandatory Gender Testing Protocols
Currently, World Boxing is poised to oversee boxing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Under growing pressure from athletes and their governing bodies to establish clear gender eligibility criteria, the organization announced that from July 1, 2023, all boxers will be subjected to mandatory sex testing aimed at maintaining safety and fairness in competitions. This new rule introduces a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic test, which can be conducted using a mouth swab, saliva, or a blood sample, to ascertain an athlete’s sex assigned at birth.
According to World Boxing, should a competitor in the women’s category exhibit male chromosomal characteristics, they will undergo a comprehensive evaluation process, which includes consultation with independent clinical experts and medical specialists.
Khelif’s Future in Competition
Khelif, preparing to defend her Olympic title in Los Angeles, is also looking to re-enter international competition shortly, with her next event scheduled at the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands. However, her participation remains contentious among some fellow boxers and national federations who are critical of her inclusion in women’s events.
