Judy Murray makes demand over Imane Khelif controversy after Italian boxer quit fight
Imane Khelif's involvement in the Paris Games have caused a stir
REUTERS
Judy Murray has called for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to reintroduce the cheek swab test for the first time since it was abandoned in 1992 following the nasty controversy surrounding Imane Khelif's fight against Angela Carini.
Khelif is one of two athletes given the all-clear to fight in women's boxing in Paris this summer after they were disqualified from last year's world championships for failing eligibility tests.
The two boxing events are run by two different organisations with the International Boxing Association (IBA) in charge of the world championships while the IOC look after boxing at the Olympics.
The IBA announced on Wednesday that Khelif did not 'undergo a testosterone examination' but the specifics surrounding her failed eligibility test remains 'confidential'.
Imane Khelif's involvement in the Paris Games have caused a stir
REUTERS
But the Algerian boxer was allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics - as she also was in Tokyo - with the IOC confirming that she complied with the competition's eligibility and entry regulations.
The decision to allow Khelif to fight had already caused furore online, but that only increased after Carini quit her fight with the Algerian after just 46 seconds.
Carini twice went to her corner to fix her headgear after taking two big punches from her opponent before stopping the fight.
The Italian was in tears after the fight and nearby cameras picked her up saying 'it's not right'.
Public figures such as J.K. Rowling, Riley Gaines and Elon Musk led the uproar online, which turned vitriol towards Khelif.
And Murray has now waded into the row, calling on the IOC to reintroduce cheek swab tests to verify the biological sex of a female Olympian.
"This should never have been allowed to happen," she said.
"Bring back the swab test. Sport has to be fair and safe for biological women."
Judy Murray wants to see swab tests brought back
GETTY
The cheek swab test was used from 1958 to 1992 and helped find evidence of XX chromosomes.
Those who passed the test were given 'female certificates' that they could use at future competitions to confirm their eligibility for women's events.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
- Olympics chief makes 'absolutely clear' statement about Imane Khelif row after Italian boxer abandoned fight
- Imane Khelif's opponent explains why she withdrew from controversial boxing fight at the Olympics
- Paris Olympics chiefs unlikely to bend rules for Andy Murray as Team GB star prepares for quarter-final clash
Italian boxer Angela Carini abandoned her fight against Imane Khelif
REUTERS
But the cheek swab test had its critics from scientists who felt it was often inconclusive and it was abandoned in 1992.
Comprehensive sex-verification tests were scrapped altogether by the IOC in 1999 but Murray has been joined by British swimming icon Sharron Davies in calls for it to be reintroduced.
She wrote on X: "Bring back simple once in a lifetime cheek swab sex screening as female athletes want & stop the vile circus which benefits no one caused 100 per cent by the IOC."