The World Boxing Council and its President, Mauricio Sulaimán, express their most enthusiastic recognition and total support for the recent decision announced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding eligibility criteria for female categories starting with the 2028 Olympic Games.

The implementation of genetic testing to detect the presence or absence of the SRY gene, represents a historic and necessary step to ensure equity, integrity, and, above all, the safety of female athletes on the world’s most prominent sporting stage.

The WBC has been a global pioneer in the defense of women’s boxing, always upholding the premise and promise  that protecting the physical integrity of combatants is non-negotiable.

Consequently, since 2024, the WBC implemented this very proposal as a result of evidence-based medical data derived from extensive collaboration with the academic, scientific, and legal communities.

We believe that the IOC’s determination to limit female categories to “biological women” through objective methods is the only way to ensure fair competition.

This measure establishes a clear standard that provides permanent certainty to athletes who test negative for the SRY gene, allowing them to focus exclusively on their athletic excellence.

The WBC reaffirms its commitment to continue working hand-in-hand with international sporting institutions to uphold the values of honesty and protection that define our community.