French female boxers will not compete in the World Boxing Championship in Liverpool after being unable to undergo mandatory gender verification tests. The French Boxing Federation (FFB) announced that their national legislation prohibits such examinations.
New World Boxing Rules
The World Championship, scheduled for September 4-14 under the auspices of World Boxing, has introduced a new regulation: all athletes over 18 must pass a genetic test to confirm their sex. According to the organization, this measure aims to ensure safety and create a level playing field for all participants.
However, French law permits genetic testing only in strictly defined circumstances: for medical purposes, scientific research, or as part of anti-doping controls. Testing for sex confirmation is not included in this list, making its conduct illegal under French jurisdiction.
Laboratory Issues
World Boxing had advised the FFB and other federations facing similar issues to contact an accredited laboratory in Leeds. The international federation guaranteed that results would be available within 24 hours, which would have allowed the athletes to register in time.
Nevertheless, the FFB reported that the laboratory failed to provide the results promptly. As a result, French female boxers, along with athletes from other nations, have been excluded from the competition.
Female Boxers and Gender Definition
NEWSROOM IN notes: Gender definition has become a significant issue in boxing since last year’s Paris Olympics, where Algerian boxer Imane Khelif was at the center of a controversy. Khelif was barred from the 2023 International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championship after the IBA stated she failed to meet eligibility requirements. However, the IOC permitted her to compete in Paris, claiming she was a victim of a “sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA.” She subsequently became an Olympic champion.
Imane Khelif was also the most searched athlete on Google in 2024.
