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Topics: Olympics, Boxing News, Boxing
Josh Lawless
Details of the test Imane Khelif must take in order to pursue a second gold medal at the Olympics have been shared online after the World Boxing issued a statement banning the Algerian.
Khelif won gold after a dominant run in the women's 66kg competition in Paris but was the subject of a controversial row about the boxer's gender.
Along with Lin Yu-ting, the 26-year-old was banned from participating in the the World Championships in New Delhi by the IBA (International Boxing Association) after failing a gender test which was previously unspecified until the results were published in a new report.
The IBA were removed from duties over ethics and financial management and replaced by the Paris Boxing Unit (PBU) for the Olympics, with Khelif cleared to compete as a result of having a female passport.
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World Boxing, not to be confused with the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) in professional boxing, are now the provisional governing body overseeing the sport at amateur level around the world.
They are therefore set to do so for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and have banned Khelif from competing in their events in the women’s category until she provides proof of being biologically female.
World Boxing have introduced "mandatory testing" as part of a new policy on "Sex, Age and Weight", with the national federations of which the fighters belong to responsible for administering the tests and submitting the certification.
They mentioned Khelif by name and cited a letter sent to the Algerian Boxing Federation, with their statement saying, “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,”
Although Khelif has goals of becoming a two-time Gold medallist, the welterweight will not be afforded the opportunity unless the sex screening is completed successfully.
The test is a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) which can "detect specific genetic material" through a nasal/mouth swab, saliva or blood.
Khelif would require the absence of Y chromosome genetic material in order to be cleared to compete.
IBA president Umar Kremlev claimed Khelif's 2023 result from the same type of test returned XY (male) chromosomes and the leaked medical report, from Dr Lal PathLabs in New Delhi, shared by Alan Abrahamson on the 3 Wire Sports website brought an "abnormal result" which revealed a "male karyotype”.
In Paris IOC spokesman Mark Adams said the aforementioned tests were "not legitimate" and did not "deserve any response".
If tests 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.
Khelif, who has expressed an interest in pursuing professional boxing, has always contested the IBA's findings and reiterated that she is born and raised a woman.
SPORTbible has contacted the IOC for comment.