Why Olympic Champion Imane Khelif Bows Out of Eindhoven: The Impact of New Mandatory Sex Testing in World Boxing

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) — Olympic champion Imane Khelif won’t compete at the Eindhoven Box Cup this weekend. This decision comes just after World Boxing announced new sex testing rules for athletes. Khelif, who took home gold at the Paris Olympics last summer, missed the registration deadline before applications closed.

“The decision is not ours. We regret it,” said Dirk Renders, the tournament media director.

Originally, Khelif planned to make her return to international boxing at this event. However, World Boxing’s new policy specifically mentioned her, requiring a screening before she could participate in any upcoming matches.

Eindhoven’s mayor, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, expressed his disapproval, stating, “All athletes are welcome in Eindhoven. Excluding them based on controversial gender tests doesn’t fit.” He called on the organization to reconsider and allow Khelif to compete.

Khelif’s career has been marked by scrutiny over eligibility. After her Olympic win, the International Boxing Association (IBA)—which has faced serious controversies—disqualified her and another gold medalist, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, from the 2023 world championships for failing unspecified eligibility tests. Interestingly, during the Olympics, Khelif competed under eligibility standards that allowed her to fight.

World Boxing, which is set to organize boxing at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, has received pressure to establish sex eligibility standards. Its president, Boris van der Vorst, recently apologized after Khelif was singled out in the testing announcement.

Khelif, who won the Eindhoven event last year, aimed to defend her gold medal in Los Angeles. However, voices against her inclusion are already emerging from fellow boxers and their federations.

The debate over gender and sport is not new. In recent years, various sports have examined their policies surrounding transgender and intersex athletes. For instance, a recent survey by the Women’s Sports Foundation revealed that nearly 60% of Americans think that all athletes should compete based on their gender identity, while 34% believe they should be categorized by biological sex. This division shows the complexity and sensitivity of the matter.

In essence, Khelif’s situation illustrates the ongoing struggle and scrutiny athletes face when navigating gender-related policies in sports.

For more insights on boxing and related updates, visit AP Boxing.

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Boxing, 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Imane Khelif, Dirk Renders, General news, Sports, Lin Yu-ting, Kellie Harrington, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Marissa Williamson-Pohlman, Boris van der Vorst, World news, Paris, World News