World Boxing have announced Imane Khelif will be prevented from competing unless she undergoes sex testing, following the gender row controversy at the Paris Olympics.

Khelif was at the centre of a bitter storm during last year’s Olympics, with controversy over the 25-year-old and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting’s participation at the Games.

Both boxers had been disqualified from the 2023 World Championships run by the International Boxing Association (IBA), the former governing body for the sport.

Amid a debate over whether Lin and Khelif should be allowed to compete at the Olympics, the two fighters would go on to win gold in the featherweight and welterweight events respectively.

World Boxing, who are now the governing body for the sport, have announced the introduction of mandatory sex testing for male and female boxers who want to take part in competitions.

World Boxing have announced Imane Khelif must undergone sex testing to compete in events

Khelif won gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games last year amid a row over her eligibility 

The governing body said the testing will be part of a new policy on ‘Sex, Age and Weight’, which it claims will a safe and competitive playing field.

World Boxing revealed the contents of a letter sent to the Algerian Boxing Federation, confirming Khelif is unable to compete in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup or any World Boxing event under she undergoes sex testing.  

‘Imane Khelif may not participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup, 5-10 June 2025 and any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures,’ the letter read.

‘In accordance with the World Boxing Statutes, amendments to the Competition Rules are typically made by Congress. However, under special or emergency circumstances, the World Boxing Executive Board holds the authority to make immediate amendments when a rule is deemed no longer functional or when evolving conditions necessitate a change.

‘In May 2025, the Executive Board exercised this authority and adopted new eligibility criteria for participation in sex-specific boxing categories. These new eligibility rules were developed with the express purpose of safeguarding athletes in combat sports, particularly given the physical risks associated with Olympic-style boxing.

‘Please be advised that, per World Boxing policy, “…in the event the athlete’s sex certification is challenged by the athlete’s federation or by World Boxing, the athlete shall be ineligible to compete until the dispute is resolved…’

The new policy will require all athletes over the age of 18 to undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) genetic test to determine their sex at birth and their eligibility to compete.

The governing body said the PCR test is a laboratory technique used to detect specific genetic material, with the SRY gene revealing the presence of the Y chromosome, which is an indicator of biological sex. The test can be a be conducted by nasal/mouth swab, saliva or blood.

Khelif must now undergone a PCR test under a new policy introduced by World Boxing

The governing body wrote a letter to the Algerian federation to announce the new policy

‘Athletes that are deemed to be male at birth, as evidenced by the presence of Y chromosome genetic material (the SRY gene) or with a difference of sexual development (DSD) where male androgenization occurs, will be eligible to compete in the male category,’ World Boxing said.

‘Athletes that are deemed to be female at birth, as evidenced by the presence of XX chromosomes or the absence of Y chromosome genetic material (the SRY gene) or with a DSD where male androgenization does not occur, will be eligible to compete in the female category.

‘World Boxing respects the dignity of all individuals and its overriding priority is to ensure safety and competitive fairness to all athletes. To do this, it is essential that strict categories, determined by sex are maintained and enforced, and means that World Boxing will only operate competitions for athletes categorised as male or female.

‘Under the new policy, National Federations will be responsible for testing and will be required to confirm the sex of their athletes when entering them into World Boxing competitions by providing a certification of their chromosomal sex, as determined by a PCR test.

‘A failure to provide certification of the chromosomal sex of an athlete or the provision of a false certification, will render the athlete ineligible to compete and may lead to sanctions against the athlete and/or the athlete’s National Federation.

‘Where test results for boxers that want to compete in the female category reveal Y chromosome genetic material and a potential DSD, the initial screenings will be referred to independent clinical specialists for genetic screening, hormonal profiles, anatomical examination or other valuation of endocrine profiles by medical specialists.’

The organisation added its new policy, which comes into force from July 1, will include an appeals process while support will be given to athletes that provide an adverse result.