Olympic boxing has been at the center of a controversy that calls into question fairness and safety in women’s sports. Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer and gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has been questioned about her eligibility in the women’s category due to chromosome test results indicating the presence of XY markers, typical of a male karyotype.
As reported on Sunday by ‘3 Wire Sports’, World Boxing, the international boxing federation, has announced that Khelif will have to undergo mandatory chromosome testing to determine her eligibility in the women’s category. According to the federation -and the ‘3 Wire Sports’ exclusive information-, these tests, known as PCR, can be performed with a simple mouth swab and are capable of identifying the presence of the Y chromosome, an indicator of biological sex. This measure seeks to ensure the safety of female athletes in combat sports, where biological differences can pose significant risks. This decision is even more significant considering that the IOC has placed its trust (provisionally) in World Boxing to organize the boxing tournament for the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Previous results and the IOC’s position
In world championships organized by the International Boxing Association (IBA) in 2022 and 2023, tests performed on Khelif and another boxer, Yu Ting Lin of Chinese Taipei, revealed XY markers and testosterone levels typical of males. Despite these results, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed both to compete in Paris, arguing that eligibility should be based on the gender identity stated on the passport.
The IOC described the IBA’s tests as “not legitimate” and questioned both the method and the process. To provide context, these tests were conducted in accredited laboratories, such as Dr. Lal PathLabs in New Delhi, which is certified by ISO and the College of American Pathologists. The IBA defended its decision as a response to changing conditions during the championships. The test proves that the decision of the IBA CEO this time wasn’t arbitrary, as the IOC mentioned.
Sexual development differences and their impact on sport
According to a medical report cited by French media, Khelif has a condition known as type 2 5-alpha reductase deficiency, which includes XY chromosomes, internal testicles, and testosterone levels significantly higher than those of the average woman. This condition, although rare, can confer significant physical advantages in high-performance sports, especially in contact disciplines such as boxing.
All this comes as World Boxing, provisionally recognized in 2025, has implemented new eligibility rules based on chromosome testing, which will take effect on July 1. However, Khelif has already been excluded from the Eindhoven Box Cup, scheduled before that date.
The debate on identity and biology in sport
The IOC’s framework on inclusion and non-discrimination, published in 2021, states that athletes must compete in the category that best aligns with their gender identity. However, it allows for the evaluation of physical performance, although it prohibits tests aimed at determining sex. This approach prioritizes identity over biology, creating tensions and differing opinions in sports where physical differences can be decisive. However, the ethical and moral issue of setting an example for society also plays a decisive role in decision-making. It is a highly complex issue.
With World Boxing overseeing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the debate over eligibility in women’s sports remains on the table, although Khelif’s exclusion and the new chromosome testing rules set a precedent that could redefine inclusion and equity policies in international sports. And another question is that if everything evolves as it seems to be doing… What will happen with the medals now? IOC will recall them? It will be the first big issue in the new Kirsty Coventry IOC era.
