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Algerian boxer Imane Khelif fights gender testing rules in international sport
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, gold medalist in the under-66 kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has launched a legal challenge against World Boxing’s gender testing regulations. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed it received her appeal but declined to suspend the contested rules while the case proceeds.
At the heart of the controversy is World Boxing’s requirement for female athletes to undergo chromosomal testing to prove eligibility. Khelif argues that this policy is discriminatory and has already prevented her from competing in international tournaments, including the Eindhoven competition in June. She is now seeking permission to participate in the upcoming World Championships in Liverpool without undergoing the test.
The issue gained widespread attention after Khelif’s Olympic victory in Paris, where she became the target of disinformation campaigns and accusations questioning her gender. The International Olympic Committee, however, affirmed her eligibility alongside Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, who faced similar scrutiny.
World Boxing’s regulations revive a contentious standard used in Olympic sports between 1968 and 1996. The organization employs PCR testing to detect the presence of the SRY gene, a marker on the Y chromosome. While supporters claim it ensures fairness in women’s categories, critics argue it unfairly excludes transgender and some intersex athletes.
Khelif’s legal battle highlights the broader debate over gender eligibility in sports. Although the outcome of her appeal may not impact her immediate future in Liverpool, it could set a precedent for how gender policies in global athletics are shaped in the years ahead.
