Upcoming turbulence for the Blue Privateers in the World Championships, caused by a controversial gender testing controversy
The French women's boxing team is currently missing from the Olympic Boxing World Championships taking place in Liverpool, England, from Thursday to September 14. The reason for their absence stems from a delay in the results of their gender tests.
The French team took the gender tests upon arrival in Liverpool, as is customary for such events. However, the results did not arrive on time, despite repeated assurances from the laboratory. The laboratory in Leeds, chosen for its promise of delivering results within the specified timeframe, was unable to meet this commitment.
This issue has led to the exclusion of the French team, as well as other boxers from foreign delegations in a similar situation, from the competition. This exclusion is a result of a new rule implemented by the World Boxing federation, which states that only nations affiliated with them and having cut ties with the International Boxing Association can participate in the Olympic qualifications for Los Angeles 2028.
The World Championships are the first to include men and women, and are governed by the World Boxing federation, recognised by the International Olympic Committee. The federation had directed the French Federation to use an accredited laboratory in Leeds for the gender tests.
Interestingly, Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, has challenged the gender tests before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. It remains to be seen if this challenge will affect the outcome for other athletes who have faced similar issues.
As of now, 118 countries have already joined the World Boxing federation, including Cuba and Uzbekistan, but not Russia. The Olympic Boxing World Championships are a significant event in the boxing calendar, and the absence of the French women's team is a notable loss for the competition.
