Summarised by Centrist
World Boxing will make sex testing mandatory for all athletes over 18, citing safety and fairness in combat sports.
The new rule will apply across all its competitions and could bar some Olympic competitors like Algeria’s Imane Khelif from competing unless they comply.
All boxers will be subject to a genetic sex test using a PCR swab to detect the presence of the SRY gene on the Y chromosome. “Athletes that are deemed to be male at birth… or with a difference of sexual development (DSD) where male androgenisation occurs, will be eligible to compete in the male category,” the body said.
“Athletes that are deemed to be female at birth… or with a DSD where male androgenisation does not occur, will be eligible to compete in the female category.”
The governing body, founded in 2023 and recognised by the International Olympic Committee, took over from the defunct IBA. It is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and in charge of boxing at the 2028 Games.
They announced the policy this week,. stating that the goal is to “safeguard athletes in combat sports, particularly given the physical risks associated with Olympic-style boxing.”
The announcement follows last year’s controversy in Paris, where both Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting won Olympic gold amid gender eligibility disputes.
Khelif, who denies being transgender, was disqualified from the 2023 world championships by the IBA, but later cleared by the IOC to compete in Paris.
However, World Boxing said the boxer would not be permitted to fight again until undergoing testing under the new rules.
Image: Andy Miah
