The tests identify the presence or absence of Y chromosome genetic material as the indicator of biological sex.
LOS ANGELES — The organization responsible for overseeing Olympic-type boxing has announced that all athletes wishing to participate in the women’s category at its upcoming world championships must undergo sex testing.
World Boxing had previously unveiled its plan to mandate that contestants undertake a polymerase chain reaction test, or a similar genetic screening, to identify their birth sex. These guidelines are set to be enforced in advance of the World Boxing Championships taking place in Liverpool, England, in early September, as disclosed by the organization on Wednesday.
The tests identify the presence or absence of Y chromosome genetic material as the indicator of biological sex.
“World Boxing honors the dignity of every person and seeks to be as embracing as possible,” declared World Boxing president Boris Van Der Vorst. “Nevertheless, in a combat sport such as boxing, there is a responsibility to ensure safety and competitive equality, which are the fundamental tenets directing the formulation and establishment of this policy.”
Paris Olympic victor Imane Khelif from Algeria opted out of a World Boxing event in the Netherlands in June, soon after the organization initially revealed its intention to enforce sex testing. Van Der Vorst subsequently expressed regret for pointing out Khelif by name, who initially intended to participate in the event, while detailing World Boxing’s upcoming testing strategies.
Khelif, along with her fellow gold medalist Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan, excelled in Paris under intense scrutiny and misunderstandings about their sex. The 26-year-old Khelif has consistently asserted that she was born female and has been active in women’s amateur boxing across various levels for nearly ten years.
During the 20th century, chromosome testing was frequently utilized in Olympic sports but was largely phased out in the 1990s due to numerous complexities that the tests, categorized as differences in sex development, could not readily resolve. Many sports have transitioned to hormone testing for determining sex eligibility, yet these assessments compel governing bodies to make challenging decisions about women who naturally possess elevated testosterone levels.
World Boxing said athletes with DSD in which male androgenization occurs will be eligible to compete only in the men’s category.
But the governing body also said it would offer extensive additional analysis and evaluation for athletes with Y chromosome genetic material who wish to compete in the women’s categories, including genetic screening, hormonal profiles, anatomical examination and further evaluation of endocrine profiles by medical specialists. An appeals process also is available.
National federations are responsible for conducting the tests and submitting the results, World Boxing said.
Earlier this year, World Athletics — the governing body for track and field — became the first Olympic sport to reintroduce chromosome testing, requiring athletes who compete in the women’s events to submit to the test once in their careers. World Athletics has set a deadline of Sept. 1 for athletes to submit to the gene tests ahead of the world championships.
The last two Olympic boxing tournaments were run by a task force from the International Olympic Committee under previous rules of sex eligibility. World Boxing, which was founded two years ago after a split from the scandal-plagued International Boxing Association, has been provisionally recognized by the IOC and will organize the next cycle of Olympic qualification heading to the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
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