Imane Khelif Challenges Gender Testing Ruling at Court of Arbitration for Sport

Khelif’s Appeal

On August 5, the Algerian boxer filed an appeal with CAS, requesting the tribunal overturn the decision and confirm her eligibility for the upcoming 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, scheduled for September 4–14.

Her appeal also asked CAS to suspend the testing requirement while her case is pending. On Monday, however, CAS dismissed that request, meaning Khelif remains ineligible for this year’s championships unless she complies with the test.

CAS confirmed that both parties are now exchanging written submissions, and a hearing will be set once schedules are agreed upon.

A History of Controversy

Khelif’s case follows years of debate over gender eligibility in boxing. She was disqualified from the 2023 IBA World Championships under similar circumstances, only to be cleared by the International Olympic Committee to compete at the Paris Games the following year. Her dominant opening bout in Paris drew sharp commentary from public figures, including then-Senator J.D. Vance and author J.K. Rowling, before she went on to win gold.

She is not alone in facing scrutiny. Taiwanese fighter Lin Yu-ting, another Olympic champion, has also dealt with gender testing disputes. Unlike Khelif, Lin has opted to withdraw from the upcoming World Championships. Highlighting how the policy is already reshaping the women’s field.

What’s at Stake

For Khelif, the CAS case will determine whether she can continue competing at the highest level of amateur boxing and possibly defend her Olympic title at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. She has consistently maintained that she was born female and has publicly denied speculation about her eligibility.

More broadly, the case could set a precedent for how combat sport. Potentially other Olympic disciplines—handle gender verification in the future. It sits at the intersection of athlete rights, privacy, and fairness in competition, making it one of the most consequential disputes in boxing today.