WB operates as an international boxing federation with recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC granted WB provisional endorsement in February 2023 to organize Olympic boxing competitions after disqualification of the International Boxing Association (IBA). IBA faced disqualification due to irregularities, including financial and administrative issues.
The sex verification test involves techniques like PCR or other genetic material detection methods. According to WB's statement, boxers who don't have certified results will be ineligible for their competitions. The main reason for these tests revolves around safety concerns and maintaining fair play across all categories.
Liverpool, United Kingdom recently served as the backdrop where discussions over this mandate unfolded. Leaders pinpointed differences in safety and sporting integrity challenges between men's and women's categories as significant factors in adopting the tests.
In another related development, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif successfully challenged the gender test rule previously applied to female athletes. On September 1, she took her case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Despite initial controversies surrounding her high testosterone levels, Khelif secured a gold medal at the Paris Games when no evidence indicated transgender identity or alteration of biological sex. Consequently, the IOC endorsed her victory without reservation.
As WB moves forward with ensuring compliance and advancing fairness within its events, all eyes remain on whether other sporting bodies adopt similar measures amidst ongoing debates over gender-related testing and inclusion within global sports arenas.