World Boxing apologizes to boxing Olympian

WORLD Boxing president Boris van der Vorst has issued an apology after Olympic champion Imane Khelif was specifically named in the organization’s announcement introducing mandatory sex testing.

Khelif, who claimed gold for Algeria at the Paris Games last summer amid questions surrounding her eligibility, was named in the governing body’s policy release, which drew swift criticism.

By Monday, June 2, 2025, Van der Vorst had reached out directly to the Algerian Boxing Federation to express regret over the decision to mention Khelif by name, acknowledging it was inappropriate and should not have happened.

The new policy, which mandates sex testing in certain cases, is part of World Boxing’s broader effort to standardize eligibility regulations. However, the inclusion of Khelif’s name in the public announcement sparked controversy over fairness and athlete privacy. / RSC