Paris: World Boxing, the provisional international governing body of the sport under the Olympic movement, has announced the implementation of mandatory sex testing for athletes starting July 1. This measure aims to ensure the safety and fairness of competitions, particularly as athletes prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
According to Focus Taiwan, the organization declared that all athletes over the age of 18 wishing to participate in any World Boxing-owned or sanctioned events must undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) genetic test. This test is designed to determine an athlete’s sex at birth and their eligibility to compete. Athletes who refuse or fail to provide the test results will be prohibited from participating in World Boxing events.
The PCR test is utilized to detect specific genetic material, revealing the presence of the Y chromosome, which indicates biological sex. The policy specifically targets athletes like Imane Khelif of Algeria, the women’s welterweight gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, who has been barred from competing in the women’s division at upcoming events until she undergoes sex testing.
Last year, during the Paris Games, Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting were involved in a gender controversy, despite the International Olympic Committee (IOC) affirming their eligibility to compete as female boxers. Both were disqualified from the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships due to failing a sex verification test conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA).
The new World Boxing policy states that athletes with a Y chromosome or a difference of sexual development (DSD) accompanied by male androgenization will only be eligible to compete in the men’s division. Women’s events will be restricted to athletes with XX chromosomes, no Y chromosome, or a DSD that does not result in male androgenization.
National federations are responsible for conducting these tests and certifying athletes’ chromosomal status based on PCR results. Boxers without valid certification will be disqualified, and federations that falsify results may face sanctions. The policy is in its final stages, drafted by a working group from World Boxing’s Medical and Anti-Doping Committee.
The introduction of this policy coincides with a new executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump in February, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” The order urged the U.S. secretary of state to ensure the IOC revises standards governing Olympic events. Trump, who opposed Khelif’s and Lin’s participation as women in the Paris Games, referred to them as “transitioned,” despite both athletes being born female.
In March, the IOC unanimously voted to include boxing in the 2028 Games, underscoring the importance of these new regulations as the sport prepares for the upcoming Olympics.