The Paris 2024 Olympic Games witnessed a contentious boxing match that sparked intense debate after Italian boxer Angela Carini abruptly ended her bout against Algerian opponent Imane Khelif just 46 seconds into the fight.
Carini, visibly distraught, conceded the match following two powerful punches from Khelif, who had previously been disqualified from the 2023 World Championships due to gender eligibility concerns.
In a post-match statement, Carini expressed her emotional turmoil, revealing that she had never encountered such force in about before. She declined to shake Khelif’s hand and tearfully explained her withdrawal decision.
“I entered the ring ready to fight, but after the first minute, I started feeling intense pain in my nose. I didn’t give up easily, but the impact of one punch was too much, so I decided to stop. I leave with my head held high,” Carini stated.
Khelif was cleared to compete at the Olympics, was declared the winner by the referee and voiced her determination to secure a gold medal for Algeria despite the controversy surrounding her participation.
The incident has reignited a global discussion on the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. Carini’s coach disclosed concerns about her safety, indicating several individuals had cautioned against the match.
The Italian Boxing Federation and government officials have raised questions about the fairness of the competition, emphasizing the absence of clear and consistent international guidelines on gender eligibility in sports.
