Imane Khelif continues to fight for her rights! World Boxing – the new Olympic boxing governing body appointed by the IOC after stripping IBA of its status due to governance issues – was preparing to host the World Boxing Championship in Liverpool, England. But just before the tournament, the organization introduced a controversial rule: mandatory genetic sex verification testing for all female athletes over the age of 18.

Khelif was singled out by name, with World Boxing declaring she would be barred from competing unless she complied. Refusing to undergo the test, Khelif appealed the policy to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing it violated her fundamental rights and that she should be allowed to compete without such requirements. CAS, however, ruled against her, and the championship went ahead from September 4 to 14 without her. Now, Khelif has linked up with a Canadian ambassador. 

Why did Imane Khelif meet the Canadian Ambassador? 

Canadian Ambassador to Algeria Robin Wettlaufer shared her excitement on social media after meeting Imane Khelif. “Canada’s Ambassador, Robin Wettlaufer, was delighted to meet Olympic gold medallist Imane Khelif – an inspiring athlete, symbol of resilience, determination & strength,” wrote the Embassy of Canada to Algeria.

On Saturday, Slovenia hosted an empowering self-defence workshop for women diplomats, highlighting resilience, safety, and gender empowerment. The Embassy of Canada to Algeria also extended its appreciation, adding, “Grateful to Slovenia for hosting women diplomats for a self-defence workshop!” 

Still, it remains unlikely that Khelif’s meeting with Wettlaufer was connected to her absence from the World Championships. All this comes after Khelif secured a gold medal in the 66 kg category of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where her participation sparked controversy. Regardless, World Boxing Championships aren’t the only tournament Khelif is banned from. 

Khelif was banned from the Eindhoven Box Cup

Alongside the World Boxing Championship, Imane Khelif was banned from competing at the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands (June 5–10) following the introduction of a new gender-testing policy. The 26-year-old was excluded under the rules recently rolled out by World Boxing. The new policy came into effect on August 20th for women, while for men, it will be rolled out in January next year. Under the new policy, all athletes over 18 must undergo a once-in-a-lifetime PCR or equivalent genetic screening test to certify their sex at birth. 

The test, which detects the SRY gene linked to the Y chromosome, determines whether an athlete qualifies for the men’s or women’s category. National Federations were supposed to conduct these tests and confirm the eligibility of their athletes. Where results reveal the presence of Y chromosome material, as in cases of Differences of Sexual Development (DSD), boxers are referred to World Boxing’s expert medical panel for further evaluation. 

Such outcomes can trigger additional testing, appeals, and uncertainty about future participation. For Khelif, this development not only clouds her immediate career but could also threaten her eligibility for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

That being said, it appears that despite being excluded from World Championships, Imane Khelif is making new connections. However, whether these connections help her secure her future in the ring is yet to be seen. What do you make of all this?