Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has been suspended from competing in upcoming international events until she undergoes genetic sex screening, according to a new mandate from World Boxing, the sport’s governing body.
The decision comes as part of a broader policy shift announced by World Boxing on Friday, requiring all boxers over 18 to undergo mandatory PCR-based genetic testing to determine their biological sex at birth. The move has reignited a fierce debate around gender eligibility in elite sports—one that Khelif now finds herself at the center of.
Khelif, 26, rose to global prominence after clinching gold in the women’s welterweight division at the Paris Olympics last year. But her triumph has since become overshadowed by controversy, as her eligibility to compete in the female category is now being formally questioned by boxing authorities.
In a statement, World Boxing said it had contacted the Algerian Boxing Federation to inform them of Khelif’s suspension from female competitions—including the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup—until she complies with the new screening requirement.
“Imane Khelif may not participate in the female category at any World Boxing event until she undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with our rules,” the statement read.
The required test will look for the presence of the SRY gene, a genetic marker found on the Y chromosome that determines male biological sex. The test can be administered through a nasal swab, saliva, or blood sample.
Khelif has so far not issued an official response to the decision, and the Algerian Boxing Federation has remained silent. However, in an earlier interview this year, Khelif firmly rejected suggestions that she does not belong in women’s boxing.
“For me, I see myself as a girl—just like any other girl,” she said. “I was born a girl, raised as a girl, and have lived my entire life as one. I’ve competed in global tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics and four World Championships, and no one questioned me until I started winning.”
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Khelif’s Olympic breakthrough came as a source of national pride for Algeria and earned her international recognition. But her success also thrust her into a politically charged storm around gender and sports, particularly after prominent figures such as former U.S. President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk weighed in.
Trump, who has been a vocal critic of transgender participation in women’s sports, signed an executive order in February barring transgender athletes from women’s categories. In response, Khelif made it clear that she does not identify as transgender and would not be intimidated by the rhetoric.
“I’m not transgender. I’m a woman, and I won’t let anyone take away what I’ve earned,” she said.
World Boxing, which recently gained provisional recognition by the International Olympic Committee and will oversee boxing events at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, insists the new policy is meant to ensure fair play. But critics argue it risks fueling exclusion and discrimination under the guise of regulation.
As Khelif continues training with hopes of defending her title in 2028, her future in the ring now hangs in the balance—not because of her talent or achievements, but because of a swab and a gene.
For now, the athlete who brought Algeria Olympic glory finds herself fighting a very different kind of battle—one that will test more than just her strength inside the ring.
