ALGIERS: Algeria's Olympic boxing champion, Imane Khelif, has decided to skip the upcoming Eindhoven Boxing Cup in the Netherlands. This move comes as new regulations surrounding gender testing take center stage in the boxing world.
The 26-year-old Khelif had initially shown interest in competing and aimed to make her return to the ring. However, she ultimately chose not to register for the Dutch event before Thursday's deadline. The tournament's media director confirmed her decision, stating, "The choice not to participate in the event is Imane Khelif's; it's not our decision."
This withdrawal follows swiftly on the heels of World Boxing's recent announcement making mandatory gender testing for all boxers. Notably, World Boxing had specifically mentioned Imane Khelif by name indicating that all boxers would undergo such tests before any competition.
Khelif's eligibility for women's boxing events has been questioned since she became embroiled in a gender-related controversy during the Paris Olympics, where she secured a gold medal. Her decision not to compete in Eindhoven further fuels discussions surrounding this ongoing issue.
