World Boxing Issues Apology for Including Olympic Champion Imane Khelif in Controversial Drug Testing Policy

The president of World Boxing has expressed regret after Olympic champion Imane Khelif was specifically mentioned in the governing body’s announcement regarding mandatory sex testing.

The Algerian boxer, who secured gold at the Paris Games last year amidst concerns over her eligibility, was highlighted in World Boxing’s new policy release.

President Boris van der Vorst reached out to the Algerian Boxing Federation to acknowledge that this was inappropriate.

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“I am writing to formally and sincerely apologise for this oversight, recognising that her privacy should have been safeguarded,” he stated in a letter obtained by The Associated Press.

Van der Vorst further expressed his hope that “by reaching out personally, we can demonstrate our genuine respect for you and your athletes.”

Khelif and fellow gold medal winner Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan garnered attention in Paris after both were disqualified from the 2023 world championships by the previous governing body for Olympic boxing, the International Boxing Association, citing failure to meet an unspecified eligibility requirement.

Nevertheless, the International Olympic Committee implemented sex eligibility regulations from previous Olympic events and permitted Khelif and Lin to compete.

Having received provisional approval as the official boxing organisation for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, World Boxing is under pressure from boxers and their federations to establish clear sex eligibility standards.

The organisation has announced that sex testing will be mandatory for all competitors starting July 1, aimed at “ensuring the safety of all participants and maintaining a level playing field for both male and female athletes.”

The new policy mandates that all athletes aged 18 and over competing in its events undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic test to ascertain their sex at birth. This PCR test identifies chromosomal material via a mouth swab, saliva, or blood.

If an athlete intending to compete in women’s events is found to possess male chromosomal material, “initial screenings will be referred to independent clinical experts for genetic screening, hormonal assessments, anatomical examinations or other evaluations of endocrine profiles by medical professionals,” according to World Boxing. The policy also incorporates an appeals process.

Khelif is preparing to defend her gold medal at the Los Angeles Games, although some boxers and their federations have already voiced opposition to her participation.

She had planned to mark her return to international competition this month at the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands.