(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Imane Khelif Can Appeal World Boxing’s Eligibility Rules
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has the option to appeal World Boxing’s decision requiring athletes to undergo genetic sex testing in order to compete, but she is not part of the entry list for the upcoming World Championships, according to World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst.
World Boxing, which will oversee the sport at the 2028 Olympics, introduced mandatory eligibility testing in May. The move followed ongoing debates after Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting won gold medals in Paris last year. Both athletes have since been involved in eligibility disputes.
Appeal to CAS
Khelif has taken her case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to overturn World Boxing’s requirement that female boxers undergo a PCR genetic test. “She has the right to do this (appeal),” said Van der Vorst. “For us, it is important to ensure competitions remain fair and safe for all athletes.”
He added that every competitor must provide the necessary documents, including eligibility tests, to take part in World Boxing events.
Participation in Liverpool Championships
The World Championships begin in Liverpool this week, but Khelif has not entered the event through her federation. Asked about her status, Van der Vorst said it was “too early to draw conclusions” and noted that her absence was due to non-entry, not the outcome of any test.
Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting is also not on the entry list for the championships. The Algerian Boxing Federation has not commented on the matter.
Ensuring Fair Competition
In June, Van der Vorst apologized after World Boxing specifically named Khelif when introducing the new testing policy, but he defended the broader decision. “Boxing is a combat sport, and it is vital to have safe and fair competitions. Our mission is to protect Olympic boxing and ensure equality among athletes,” he said.
