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The Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will not compete as expected in an upcoming world of boxing women until completing a mandatory sexual test, the organization announced on Friday.
“Imane Khelif may not participate in the women’s category in the Eindhoven Cup, June 5-10, 2025 and any world boxing event until IMANE Khelif undergoes the detection of genetic sex in accordance with the rules and proof procedures of World Boxing”, a letter sent by world boxing to the reading of the Algerian boxing federation.
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Imane Khelif of the Algeria team celebrates the victory against Anna Luca Hamori of the Hungary team after the match of the quarterfinals of 66 kg of 66 kg on day eight of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in North Paris Arena on August 3, 2024, in Paris, France. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
The letter also declared that World Boxing decided to adopt mandatory sex evidence this month.
“These new eligibility rules developed with the express purpose of safeguarding athletes in combat sports, particularly given the physical risks associated with Olympic style boxing,” said the letter.
World Boxing added in a statement that new policies are “designed only to guarantee the health and safety of all participants in world boxing competitions (including Imane Khelif) and is not considered that in any way the result of any test that is introduced as part of the new ‘sex, age and weight’ policy.
The controversial gold medalist was scheduled to return to sport in the Eindhoven Cup in the Netherlands in June. Now, Khelif can only compete if a genetic test of polymerase chain reaction is passed, a laboratory technique used to detect specific genetic material.
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Imane Khelif (R) from Algeria and Luca Anna Hamori from Hungary fight each other. (Sina Schuldt/Picture Alliance through Getty Images)
World Boxin claims The policy will include an appeal process and support will be offered to any boxers that provide an adverse test result.
Khelif, who was subject to global controversy during the Paris Olympic Games, was previously disqualified from the International Boxing Association to fail a gender eligibility test. The president of IBA, Umar Kremlev, said that the results of the unpublished DNA tests showed that Khelif had XY chromosomes, which is the default combination for men. Then, on a route to win the female gold in Paris, Khelif infamously defeated Angela Carini of Italy for loss, since Carini cried after the game due to how hard they were Khelif’s blows.
The incident even caused the violent reaction of President Donald Trump during his campaign last summer, who spoke against the International Olympic Committee for allowing Khelif to compete. The former COI president, Thomas Bach, defended Khelif’s participation, such as the COI’s eligibility policies allowed Khelif’s participation.
Imane Khelif de Algeria and Angela Carini of Italy react after their fight. (Reuters/Isabel Infantes)
Khelif then filed a lawsuit in France citing “acts of aggravated cyberbullying” on the public response to his participation.
Khelif announced intentions to compete at the Summer Games of Los Angeles of 2028 in an interview with ITVV In March.
