England boxer missed Worlds due to sex-test admin error

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 12:38 · Archive

George Francis, 18, was banned from the Under-19 World Championships after England Boxing failed to arrange a required sex verification test.

George Francis, an 18-year-old boxer from Loughton, Essex, was withdrawn from the Under-19 World Championships in Budva, Montenegro on the eve of the event after an administrative error by England Boxing. He was due to compete in the 60kg category but was told hours before the draw that he could not fight because the governing body had failed to arrange a mandatory sex verification test.

Francis said he was left devastated by the news. 'They got me in a room and told me that I couldn't box because they didn't know if I was a boy or a girl, basically,' he told BBC Sport. He explained that England Boxing said they could not provide a blood sample in time, though all other competitors had been able to do so. 'Somehow I wasn't on the system,' Francis said. 'Apparently, there were no qualified doctors in Budva to do it.'

A multiple schoolboy and junior national champion, Francis had been training intensely for what he described as his 'dream' of representing England at his first World Championships. 'It was the worst news I've ever had in my life,' he said. 'I was just broken. I was devastated. I couldn't really talk. I literally couldn't feel anything.'

World Boxing introduced mandatory genetic sex testing for female competitors aged 18 and above last year to ensure 'the safety of all participants and provide a level playing field'. National federations are responsible for ensuring samples are processed.

How it is being reported

• English boxer, 18, banned from World Championships after extraordinary sex test mix-up: 'Broken' teenager reveals how his dream was shattered after team forgot to prove he was a manFrancis was withdrawn from competition on the eve of the event after an administration error, with England Boxing having failed to arrange the necessary sex verification test.Daily Mail Sport · 14 Nov, 12:24
• England boxer missed Worlds over sex-test mix-upGeorge Francis was left “broken” after he was banned from competing at the Under-19 World Championships because his team did not organise a sex verification test to prove he is male.BBC News · 14 Nov, 07:43

In this story: George Francis · England Boxing · World Boxing · Budva · Montenegro · Loughton · Essex

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