World Boxing released a formal apology to Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif after the Algerian boxer was named specifically in the governing body's controversial statement on compulsory sex testing.
The apology follows increasing criticism over privacy and how the sport is processing eligibility criteria before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Imane Khelif Caught in the Crossfire of New Gender Policy
Khelif, who won gold in Paris last summer, was at the center of a heated worldwide debate following World Boxing's disclosure of its new sex testing policy. According to The Associated Press, the Friday release clearly named Khelif, earning the ire of fans and officials who thought she had been betrayed in terms of privacy.
By Monday, World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst himself spoke directly to the issue. In a letter he wrote to the Algerian Boxing Federation, he apologized for how Khelif was publicly singled out.
"I am writing to you all personally to offer a formal and sincere apology for this and acknowledge that her privacy should have been protected," he wrote in a letter seen by AP.
Earlier this month, a Telegraph report said that there was a leaked medical report proving that Khelf is a biological male.
Past Scandal Still Ghosts Khelif and Lin Yu-ting
Khelif and Taiwanese gold medalist Lin Yu-ting have both been at the center of criticism ever since they were excluded by the since-rebranded International Boxing Association (IBA) from the 2023 World Championships. Back then, the IBA claimed that their exclusion was based on an "unspecified eligibility test.".
But the International Olympic Committee (IOC) overrode the decision, permitting the two to box in Paris according to already established Olympic sex eligibility rules.
The latest step by World Boxing to regularize new testing reignited the debate on fairness, ethics, and protecting the privacy of athletes, once more putting Khelif in the center of attention. The Olympic gender storm will still be the talk of the town by the time 2028 arrives.
Mandatory PCR Testing Set to Begin July 1
World Boxing's new policy requires all boxers who are 18 and older to submit to PCR genetic testing from July 1. The test, which evaluates chromosomal material through a swab or blood draw, will be used to verify an athlete's sex at birth.
Where male chromosomal material is found in female athletes, further assessments can ensue, which involve hormonal testing, anatomical checks, and clinical evaluation by impartial medics. There is also an appeals mechanism in place for disputing parties.
The organization insists that the policy would help maintain equity and security for both male and female categories. The policy has been criticized, though, as possibly infringing on athletes' rights while perpetuating unwarranted stigmatization.
Khelif Eyes LA 2028 Despite Ongoing Scrutiny
Despite the renewed controversy, Khelif is still determined to defend her title at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. She also had it scheduled to compete again this month at the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands as an indication of her willingness to continue being active in the global scene.
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