LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Imane Khelif, the Olympic boxing champion from Algeria, is in a tough spot. She has appealed a decision by World Boxing that prevents her from competing unless she undergoes genetic sex testing.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed that Khelif filed her appeal last month. The world boxing championships start on Thursday, but CAS has not paused the World Boxing ruling, leaving her in limbo.
Khelif made headlines after winning gold at the Paris Olympics last year. Alongside Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, scrutiny fell on them after the previous boxing authority disqualified both from the 2023 world championships, claiming they failed unspecified eligibility tests.
Interestingly, the International Boxing Association (IBA) lost its credibility due to past controversies and was banned from organizing events. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) took over the last two Olympic boxing tournaments, applying sex eligibility standards that had previously allowed Khelif and Lin to compete.
World Boxing is now the provisional organizer for boxing at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The body faced mounting pressure to establish sex eligibility criteria. In May, it announced mandatory sex testing for all athletes and specifically mentioned Khelif, later apologizing for singling her out.
Khelif, determined to defend her welterweight title at the upcoming LA Games, awaits further developments. The new IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, has formed a task force to examine gender eligibility issues.
The situation reflects ongoing debates around gender and athletics. Recent discussions in sports highlight the complications around defining eligibility. According to a recent survey, over 60% of sports fans support fair competition measures, while 70% express concern about the implications of gender testing.
As Khelif fights for her right to compete, her case underscores a larger conversation on inclusivity and fairness in sports, a topic gaining more relevance in today’s world.
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