IOC issue statement after Imane Khelif is banned from competing in boxing events
The IOC have issued a response after Imane Khelif was banned from competing at events organised by World Boxing.
Representing Algeria, Khelif won gold at the Olympics during a dominant run in the 66kg women's competition but received monumental backlash amid a debate about her gender eligibility.
Khelif, born and raised a female, was banned from competing at the the World Championships in New Delhi, India, with previous governing body IBA making the decision after claiming she failed unspecified gender tests.
The IBA were stripped of its governing body status for the Olympics in Paris and replaced by the Paris Boxing Unit (PBU), with Khelif cleared to participate due to holding a female passport.
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But World Boxing are the provisional organisation for the 2028 Olympics and have announced that the 26-year-old is banned from competing in future female events unless she provides proof that she is a female.
The body said they will introduce "mandatory testing" as part of "a new policy on ‘Sex, Age and Weight’" and then revealed a letter they sent to the Algerian Boxing Federation about Khelif.
“Imane Khelif may not compete in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup or in any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes genetic screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures,” the letter read.
Discussion about Khelif's situation has once again surfaced online and after issuing a series of comments throughout the controversy at the Olympics, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) have reacted to the recent developments.
"The IOC has always made it clear that eligibility criteria are the responsibility of the respective International Federation," an IOC spokesperson said.
"The factors that matter to sports performance are unique to each sport, discipline, and/or event. We await the full details how sex testing will be implemented in a safe, fair and legally enforceable way."
The test Imane Khelief must undergo in order to participate in World Boxing events
In order to compete, Khelif must take a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test which can "detect specific genetic material" through a nasal/mouth swab, saliva or blood.
In the result, the boxer would require the absence of Y chromosome genetic material in order to be cleared to compete.
Should results reveal Y chromosome genetic material and a possibility of DSD (difference of sexual development), World Boxing have said that independent clinical specialists will look into the matter and oversee genetic screening, hormonal profiles, anatomical examination and more.
3 Wire Sports published what they claim is an "abnormal" official test result from Dr Lal PathLabs in New Delhi on 17 March at 10:30am and one that showed a "male karyotype”.
Khelif, who has claimed she will go into professional boxing and has offers to do so, has always contested the IBA's findings.
Josh Lawless