Angela Carini’s Olympic bout against Imane Khelif sparks controversy after Carini withdraws due to unprecedented pain from Khelif’s punches, raising concerns about eligibility and athlete safety at the Paris Olympics.
Paris, Bollywoodfever: Italian boxer Angela Carini broke down in tears after abandoning her bout against Algerian Imane Khelif just 46 seconds in, sparking huge controversy at the Paris Olympics. Khelif, one of two boxers allowed to compete despite failing testosterone and gender eligibility tests last year, delivered punches that led Carini to make the difficult decision to stop the fight.
Fight Details and Reactions
During the highly charged bout at the North Paris Arena, Carini revealed that she felt unprecedented pain from Khelif’s punches. “I am heartbroken,” said Carini. “I went to the ring to honor my father. I was told many times that I was a warrior, but I preferred to stop for my health. I have never felt a punch like this.”
Carini explained that the first punch dislodged her chinstrap, and the second punch hit her chin and caused bleeding. “After the second punch, I felt a strong pain in the nose. I said enough because I couldn’t finish the fight after the punch to the nose,” she added.
Despite the controversy surrounding Khelif’s eligibility, Carini stated, “I’m not here to judge. It’s not up to me to say if it’s fair or not fair. I just did my job. I managed to leave with my head held high.”
Reactions from Officials and Athletes
Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, expressed concern over the incident, stating that female athletes should not be exposed to physical and psychological violence based on their sex.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also commented, arguing that athletes with male genetic characteristics should not compete in women’s events to ensure fairness. “It matters to be able to compete on equal grounds, and from my point of view, it was not an even contest,” Meloni said.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) faced criticism for allowing Khelif and another boxer, Lin Yu‑ting of Chinese Taipei, to compete. Both athletes were previously disqualified from the 2023 Women’s World Championships for having XY chromosomes.
Responses from Khelif and the Algerian Olympic Committee
Khelif expressed her determination to win gold and dismissed the controversy. “I am here for gold,” Khelif said. “I will fight anybody, I will fight them all.”
The Algerian Olympic Committee condemned what it called “baseless propaganda” against Khelif. “Such attacks on her personality and dignity are deeply unfair, especially as she prepares for the pinnacle of her career at the Olympics,” the committee stated.
Concerns and Future Implications
The controversy has raised broader concerns within the boxing and sports community. Australian boxing captain Caitlin Parker voiced her apprehension about safety, especially in combat sports. “It can be incredibly dangerous,” Parker noted.
The IOC has maintained that all competitors meet the eligibility rules but has not detailed those rules. IOC spokesman Mark Adams emphasized, “This is not a transgender issue,” reiterating that all competitors comply with the rules.
As the debate continues, the focus remains on ensuring fair and safe competition for all athletes while respecting individual identities and eligibility criteria.
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