Angela Carini apologizes for not shaking Khelif's hand after Olympic bout

Italian boxer Angela Carini’s bid for a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics ended abruptly on Thursday, lasting just 46 seconds before she withdrew from her bout against Algerian Imane Khelif. A spot of blood on Carini's trunks marked the end of her fight.

Carini, aiming to honor her late father and coach who passed away after the Tokyo Games, faced intense scrutiny as her decision reignited debate over Khelif's participation. Khelif had been disqualified from last year’s world championships following a failed gender eligibility test.

Despite Carini's insistence that her withdrawal was not a political statement, the incident has stirred controversy. Speaking to the Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport, Carini, tearful and in pain, explained, “My face and nose were hurting. I couldn’t breathe anymore. I thought about my family, looked at my brother in the stands, and decided to retire. … I’ve never been hit with such a powerful punch.”

Carini expressed regret over the controversy and her failure to shake Khelif’s hand post-fight. “All this controversy makes me sad. I’m sorry for my opponent, too. … If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision,” Carini said. “Actually, if I were to meet her again I would embrace her.”

Profile of Angela Carini

The 25-year-old Carini, competing in the 66-kilogram welterweight class, won silver medals at the 2019 world and European championships and was a gold medalist at the European youth championships. Carini, who previously excelled in clay pigeon shooting, switched to boxing to follow her brother and father, who taught her the sport.

Imane Khelif’s Controversial Participation

Khelif, who was disqualified from the 2023 world championships due to elevated testosterone levels, entered the ring to a mix of cheers and confusion. The 25-year-old, a silver medalist at the 2022 world championships, did not comment after the match. Her participation in the Olympics has been contentious, leading to discussions between Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and IOC President Thomas Bach.

The IOC has defended Khelif's eligibility, with Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malagò stating, “Despite our requests for certainties and guarantees, they’ve confirmed that (Khelif) is within these parameters.”