Imane Khelif temporarily suspended from boxing events pending gender test
Imane Khelif’s boxing fight goes beyond the ring, sparking a global debate on gender, fairness, and inclusion in women’s sports.
Imane Khelif, the 26-year-old Algerian welterweight boxer and Olympic gold medalist, has been temporarily barred from participating in upcoming boxing events under a newly introduced mandatory gender testing policy by World Boxing. The body indicated that athletes over 18 years old would have to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic testing to determine their sex at birth in order to compete in gender-based divisions.
This policy comes amid controversies surrounding the eligibility of Khelif during the Paris 2024 Olympics, where her participation sparked furious debates on gender identity in sports. Khelif's Olympic bid was marred by controversy surrounding her gender, particularly after her first-round opponent, Italy's Angela Carini, withdrew from their fight just 46 seconds in, citing pain from head blows delivered by Khelif.
Imane Khelif faces gender test debate as IOC supports Her eligibility
This led to widespread speculation about Khelif's gender, although she had been identified as female and had passed the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) eligibility criteria. The IOC defended her competing, stating that she had met all regulations necessary and was born and registered as a female. Prior to the Olympics, Khelif had been disqualified from the 2023 Women's World Boxing Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) for allegedly failing gender eligibility tests. The IBA did not, however, publicize the findings of these tests, and the IOC denounced the disqualification as "sudden and arbitrary," with a lack of due process.
The IOC's stance was that Khelif's eligibility should be determined by her identification documents and history of competition as a woman. Responding to the new policy on testing, Khelif has stated that she will do whatever it takes for World Boxing so that she can pursue her career. She has asserted that her dedication to boxing and the fact that she is a woman must be honored, and she still wishes to compete at the highest level. Khelif's case has highlighted the thorny questions and issues of gender verification and eligibility for women's sport.
Imane Khelif’s case fuels gender Policy debate in sports
The controversy has also drawn in public figures and activists, with some arguing in support of Khelif's right to compete while others have questioned the fairness of allowing athletes with certain biological characteristics to compete in women's categories. The controversies have driven the scrutiny of gender policies in sport, with calls for more clear and consistent regulations.
Imane Khelif of Algeria, left, fights Yang Liu of China in the women’s 66 kg boxing final at the 2024 Summer Olympics on August 9, 2024. Photo: AFP
The outcome of Khelif's compliance with the new testing requirements has the potential to set a precedent for future gender eligibility cases in boxing. As Khelif navigates this complex problem, her case continues to be a focal point in the broader debate of inclusivity, equity, and evolving definitions of gender in competitive sports. That she is determined to find a way past these challenges is a reflection of her strength and commitment to her sports career, regardless of the setbacks. The resolution of her case could have far-reaching implications for the policies on gender and eligibility in boxing and perhaps other sports.
