Imane Khelif has become one of the most talked-about figures in international boxing, not only for her Olympic triumph but for the controversy surrounding her right to compete.
The Algerian fighter was thrown into the spotlight in 2023 when the International Boxing Association (“IBA”) barred her from the world championships, claiming she had “failed gender eligibility tests.” The IBA never disclosed how the tests were conducted, which drew heavy criticism for its lack of transparency. The International Olympic Committee later rejected those findings, affirming that Khelif was eligible to compete and denouncing the IBA’s actions as arbitrary.[1]
Khelif went on to make history at the Paris 2024 Olympics, winning gold in the women’s welterweight division.[2]
Yet her victory was overshadowed by waves of online harassment and speculation about her identity, which resulted in her filing a criminal complaint in France over cyberbullying.[3]
This year, the controversy resurfaced when World Boxing, the governing body for the sport, moved to formalize sex eligibility rules. On August 20, 2025, it announced that all women competitors at the upcoming World Championships would be required to undergo mandatory genetic testing, typically a PCR screening for the SRY gene.[4]
The policy was first floated in May but made headlines when officials publicly cited Khelif as someone who would be barred from entering events without submitting to the test. World Boxing later apologized for naming her, acknowledging it had breached her privacy, but the damage was done.[5]
Khelif was absent from major tournaments that followed, and in August she filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (“CAS”). She is now challenging the rule, arguing that it violates her privacy and unfairly targets her despite years of compliance with Olympic standards. CAS has allowed the appeal to move forward, but it refused to suspend the testing requirement in the meantime, meaning Khelif will miss this month’s World Championships in Liverpool.[6]
The case has become a flashpoint in a broader debate. Supporters of testing see it as essential to ensuring fairness in women’s competition, especially in a contact sport like boxing. Opponents argue it reduces identity to a genetic marker and places undue scrutiny on women who don’t conform to narrow expectations of femininity.
As her appeal unfolds, the outcome could shape not only Khelif’s career but also the way international sport defines gender eligibility in the years ahead. For now, the Olympic champion remains outside the ring, fighting on a very different stage.
[1] Reuters, “IBA gender tests on two boxers were flawed and illegitimate, says IOC”
[2] Le Monde, “Algerian boxer Imane Khelif blocks attacks on her eligibility”
[3] AP News, “Algerian boxer files complaint over online harassment”
[4] World Boxing, “World Boxing confirms mandatory sex testing will apply in the female category at the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025
[5] Reuters, “World Boxing apologizes after naming Khelif in mandatory sex testing announcement” (Jun. 3, 2025).
[6] Reuters, “Khelif appeals to CAS against World Boxing ban over genetic testing”
Law student at the University at Buffalo.