Italian boxer Angela Carini tearfully abandoned her Olympic fight against Algerian Imane Khelif just 46 seconds into the bout on Thursday.
The match, held at the North Paris Arena, sparked significant controversy due to Khelif's previous disqualification from the women's world championships for failing testosterone and gender eligibility tests. Khelif, along with Lin Yu-ting of Chinese Taipei, was controversially allowed to compete in the Olympics despite these issues.
In a tense scene, Carini explained her decision to withdraw after being struck harder than ever before. A powerful punch from Khelif dislodged Carini’s chinstrap, and a subsequent blow left her nose in pain and her shorts bloodied.
“I am heartbroken,” Carini said. “I went to the ring to honour my father. I was told many times that I was a warrior, but I chose to prioritise my health. I have never felt a punch like this.”
The 25-year-old from Naples continued, “I didn’t give up, but the pain was too much. I decided to stop, holding my head high.”
Despite her disappointment, Carini emphasised her desire to compete fairly and with dignity. “I wanted to face my opponent and fight,” she said, “regardless of who they were or the controversy surrounding them.”
When asked if she should have withdrawn beforehand, Carini stated, “I don’t give up easily. Even if it had been suggested not to fight, I wouldn’t have accepted. I have a warrior’s mentality, but the pain was too much this time.”
Carini described entering the ring as a victory in itself, regardless of the outcome. She asserted that her decision to stop was not a defeat but a mature choice to preserve her dignity. “I was convinced I would win and was focused,” she remarked. “But the punches hurt, and I said enough.”
Carini declined to comment on whether Khelif should have been barred from competing, saying, “It’s not my place to judge. I did my job.”
Khelif, speaking briefly to the BBC, expressed her determination to win gold. “I am here for gold,” she said. “I will fight anybody.”
The situation drew attention from Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, who expressed concern over the incident. “Angela Carini rightly prioritised her physical safety,” Alsalem tweeted. “She and other female athletes should not be subjected to physical and psychological violence based on their sex.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also weighed in, stating that athletes with male genetic characteristics should not compete in women’s events to ensure fairness. “This isn’t about discrimination but about competing on equal terms,” Meloni said.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) faced criticism for allowing Khelif and Lin to compete. Both had been disqualified from last year’s world championships after DNA tests confirmed XY chromosomes, indicative of male characteristics. The International Boxing Association (IBA) criticised the IOC’s less stringent rules for the Olympics, raising concerns about competitive fairness and athlete safety.
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams defended the decision, stating, “All competitors comply with eligibility rules. This is not a transgender issue.”
Australian boxing captain Caitlin Parker also expressed concern, noting the potential dangers of such situations in combat sports. Khelif, meanwhile, claimed she was the victim of a “big conspiracy” following her previous disqualification.
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