World Boxing says Algerian gold medalists will have to get genetic screenings to compete in future events, including the Olympics.
Algerian Olympic boxing champion Iman Kelif must undergo genetic sex screening to participate in upcoming events, and as the Governing Body of Sports has introduced mandatory sexual testing for all boxers in the competition,
World Boxing announced its new policy on Friday, notably referring to Algeria’s Khelif. Algeria’s Khelif won women’s welterweight gold at last year’s Parisiolmím, prompting a gender-qualified line.
“Iman Kerif may not participate in the women’s category at any global boxing event until Iman Kerif undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with world boxing rules and testing procedures,” the organization said in a statement.
“World Boxing has written to the Algerian Boxing Federation to let Iman Kerif know that he will not be allowed to participate in the women’s category at any World Boxing event until Iman Kerif takes the Eindhoven Box Cup or Iman Kerif takes the sex test,” he added.
World Boxing is responsible for holding matches at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after being recognized for interim recognition by the International Olympic Committee.
Under the new policy, all athletes over the age of 18 who wish to participate in boxing-owned or licensed competitions around the world must undergo PCR or polymerase chain reaction gene testing to determine their sexuality and competitive eligibility at birth.
PCR testing is a laboratory technique used to detect specific genetic material, in this case SRY genes, which reveals the presence of Y chromosomes, an indicator of biological sex.
This test can be performed by taking a nose or mouth swab or a sample of saliva or blood.
The National Federation is responsible for the testing and must verify the athlete’s gender when participating in a global boxing competition by generating chromosomal gender authentication determined by PCR tests.
Reuters news agency could not contact Kerif for comment, but reported that the Algerian Boxing Federation did not immediately answer questions about the development.
Kerif said in March: “To me, I consider myself a girl just like any other girl. I was born and raised as a girl, and lived my life as one.”
“I have competed in many tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics and other major tournaments, four world championships,” she said at the time.
“All of these things happened before I started winning titles and winning them, but once I started achieving success, the campaign against me started.”
The 26-year-old is targeting his second gold medal in the 2028 game in Los Angeles after his victory in Paris.
Her success at the Olympics, along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu Ointing, led to a fierce gender eligibility debate in Paris, with famous figures such as US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
In February, Trump signed an executive order banning trans athletes from competing in women’s sports.
Keriff said she’s not transgender so Trump won’t be threatened.
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