Introduction

Imane Khelif, a 25-year-old Algerian welterweight boxer, recently made headlines by defeating Italy’s Angela Carini in the round of 16 at the Olympic women’s boxing tournament. Khelif’s impressive performance, securing victory in just 46 seconds, has unfortunately been overshadowed by a wave of abuse and controversy.

The Controversy

• Following her victory, Khelif faced accusations of being a “biological man” and having an “unfair advantage” over her opponent.
• Some critics even wrongly identified her as a transgender woman.
• This backlash is part of a broader debate on the participation of trans women and women with certain “masculine” biological characteristics, such as higher testosterone levels, in women’s sports.

Gender Eligibility Tests

• In 2023, Khelif and Lin Yu-ting from Chinese Taipei were banned from competing in the IBA’s World Championship in New Delhi after failing a confidential “gender eligibility” test conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA).
• The IBA determined that they did not meet the criteria to compete in the female category.  However, both boxers are currently competing in the Paris Olympics after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) derecognized the IBA over governance and financial issues.
• The IOC’s eligibility criteria for the Paris Olympics only require the gender stated in an athlete’s passport, which identifies Khelif as female.

IOC’s Response

• The IOC defended Khelif, stating that all Olympic boxers complied with eligibility and entry regulations.
• Both Khelif and Lin have a history of competing in women’s competitions, including the Tokyo 2020 Games.
• The IOC criticized the IBA’s decision to ban the two women as arbitrary and lacking proper procedure.

Gender Eligibility in Women’s Sports

• Modern sports are organized based on sex, with separate categories for men and women due to physiological differences.
• Sex determination is based on chromosomes, with the XX combination resulting in female sex organs and XY in male sex organs.
• The SRY gene on the Y chromosome is responsible for testosterone production, which has been linked to athletic performance through its effects on muscle mass, strength, bone size, and hemoglobin levels. However, the data on this matter is currently inadequate.

Disorders of Sex Development (DSDs)

• Some individuals, such as those with Swyer syndrome, may have female reproductive organs but carry the XY chromosome.
• Swyer syndrome, a type of DSD, results in individuals being genetically male but phenotypically female.
• This condition lies at the heart of the debate on gender eligibility in women’s sports.
• Critics argue that women with DSDs, who may have higher testosterone levels, should not compete with other women to ensure fairness.

Sports Federations’ Eligibility Criteria

• In 2021, the IOC allowed international sports federations to develop their own eligibility rules based on an evidence-based approach, considering principles of fairness, inclusion, non-discrimination, no presumption of advantage, and prevention of harm.
• World Athletics, for example, requires DSD athletes to maintain testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L for at least 24 months before competing, a stricter standard than previous requirements.
• Other sports federations, such as FINA and the International Cycling Union, have implemented varying degrees of bans on trans women athletes.

Ongoing Debate

• The impact of testosterone on sporting performance remains a contentious issue.
• Some argue that women with naturally higher testosterone levels may not have a significant advantage compared to other genetic traits, like LeBron James’ height or Michael Phelps’ large hands.

Conclusion

Imane Khelif’s victory has reignited the debate on gender eligibility in women’s sports. While the IOC supports her right to compete based on current regulations, the broader discussion on fairness and inclusion in sports continues. The evolving policies of sports federations reflect ongoing efforts to balance these complex issues.