Major Olympics rule change could have huge impact on Imane Khelif even if she passes gender test

A major Olympics rule change for LA 2028 could have a significant impact on reigning women's welterweight boxing champion Imane Khelif, if she is permitted to compete.

Khelif is currently banned from competing in events sanctioned by World Boxing - the sport's amateur governing body - until she undergoes a genetic screening test.

She was specifically named in a letter sent by World Boxing informing fighters of the rule change to gender testing - something for which the governing body later apologised due to privacy breaches.

The row re-erupted earlier this week when Olympics reporter Alan Abrahamson published a 'leaked' document about Khelif to the 3 Wire Sports website.

The document was claimed to show results from a 2023 genetic screening test - similar to the one permitted under new regulations - conducted by a lab in New Delhi on Khelif. It allegedly showed the presence of a 'male karyotype'.

However, the IOC have previously stated that the test is 'not legitimate'.

They also stripped the IBA, who disqualified Khelif from its World Championships after claiming she failed an unspecified gender eligibility test, of its status as world boxing's governing body in 2023 due to concerns over its governance.

Khelif was born and raised as a girl, and the issue is not related to transgender.

She was permitted to compete in Paris 2024 as she complied with all entry requirements and medical regulations.

Moving forwards, given that World Boxing will administer the boxing competitions at LA 2028, Khelif's participation is currently in doubt until she completes the gender screening test.

However, should she be allowed to compete, a separate rule change could also affect her participation.

Khelif won gold at Paris 2024 in the welterweight category, fighting at 66kg.

However, a tweak to the rules for LA 2028 means that welterweight will now be classed as 60-65kg, with light-middleweight becoming 65-70kg.

Khelif would therefore move up to compete at 70kg, which would naturally affect her approach to the competition.

However, speaking in an interview with Marca in April, the Algerian revealed she is largely not concerned about the step up.

"In Paris, I won at 66kg," she said. "But I don't think this increase will be difficult for me.

"I'm 1.80m (6ft) tall, and I'm studying with the team how to best adapt to the new division."