World Boxing has formally apologized after naming Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif in its recent announcement regarding mandatory sex testing for all boxers in its competitions. The organization acknowledged that Khelif’s privacy should have been protected and expressed regret over the inclusion of her name in the public statement.
In a letter addressed to the Algerian Boxing Federation, World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst extended a personal apology, stating, “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 further emphasized the organization’s commitment to respecting athletes and ensuring fairness in competition.
The mandatory sex testing policy, which was announced last week, requires all athletes over the age of 18 to undergo a PCR genetic test to determine sex at birth. The policy aims to establish clear eligibility criteria for male and female categories in World Boxing events. However, the inclusion of Khelif’s name in the announcement sparked concerns over athlete privacy and fairness.
Khelif, who won gold in the women’s welterweight category at the Paris 2024 Olympics, had previously faced scrutiny over gender eligibility rules. Despite being disqualified from the 2023 World Championships, she was cleared to compete in the Olympics under the International Olympic Committee’s regulations