Heartbreak and Controversy: Boxers Miss World Championships Over Delayed Sex Tests

A member of the Nigeria women's boxing team, Blessing Oraekwe, has expressed her devastation after being barred from the World Championships in Liverpool due to missing the deadline for a new genetic sex test. Oraekwe, who was set to compete in the 75kg category, described the situation as "heartbreaking" and called for compensation from World Boxing to cover the costs of her team's wasted journey to the UK.

The Policy and Its Impact

World Boxing, the international governing body for amateur boxing, introduced a mandatory sex testing policy in May for women competing in the World Championships. However, the policy has sparked controversy, particularly after it was revealed that 12 fighters from five nations, including three from Nigeria, were barred due to delayed test results.

The French boxing federation also revealed that its women's team had been excluded because their samples were not processed in time by a laboratory recommended by World Boxing. The federation described the situation as a "profound injustice" and criticized the policy as being communicated too late.

Athletes' Reactions

Blessing Oraekwe shared her disappointment, stating, "It was heartbreaking for me because my plan was to come here and dominate in the ring and take the gold for my country. I know how I worked so hard for this." She also highlighted the financial burden on the Nigerian boxing federation, which had gathered funds to support the athletes' participation.

French fighter Maelys Richol also expressed her frustration, saying, "When I came here I didn't think it would turn out like this. It's been a year, almost, that we've been preparing for the World Championships. And learning that the day before, it's not easy."

World Boxing's Response

World Boxing has defended the policy, stating that it was introduced to ensure safety and fairness in the women's competition. Mike McAtee, World Boxing's acting secretary general, expressed sympathy for the affected athletes but emphasized the importance of following the rules. "Boxing is a sport that you have to follow the rules. One of the biggest things is to protect boxers from themselves, and make sure that we have health and safety," he said.

Broader Implications

The controversy has raised questions about the implementation of the sex testing policy and the communication between World Boxing and national federations. World Boxing has acknowledged the need for improvement and stated that it will review the process to better support its members in the future.

This incident highlights the challenges faced by athletes and governing bodies in ensuring fair competition while addressing complex issues such as gender eligibility. As the sport continues to evolve, the balance between regulation and athlete welfare remains a critical concern.