World Boxing Institutes Mandatory Sex Testing for Female Athletes Following Olympic Controversy
World Boxing, the sport’s international governing body, announced on Wednesday a new policy requiring mandatory sex verification for athletes competing in the women’s category.
This decisive action is aimed at guaranteeing that only biological females are eligible for women’s competitions, a move intended to uphold the principles of fair play and sporting integrity.
The new regulations will be officially implemented for the 2025 World Boxing championships, which are scheduled to begin on September 4.
A Direct Response to Fairness Concerns
The policy was established following significant global backlash that emerged during the women’s Olympic boxing events in Paris.
Public criticism intensified after gold medals were awarded to boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, both of whom had previously failed sex verification tests in other competitions.
World Boxing stated that the new rule is essential for ensuring both competitive fairness and the safety of all athletes participating in the sport.
The organization emphasized its commitment to protecting the integrity of the women’s division.
New Eligibility and Verification Protocols
Under the updated framework, national boxing federations will now be responsible for confirming the eligibility of their athletes.
Each national team must provide official certification confirming the chromosomal sex of every boxer registered to compete in the women’s category.
This verification must be completed through a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test or an equivalent method of genetic screening.
Failure to provide this certification will render an athlete ineligible to participate in World Boxing events, including the upcoming championships in Liverpool. This measure is designed to create a clear and enforceable standard across all member nations.
