NEW DELHI: Algerian boxer Imane Khelif advanced in the 66kg division at the Paris Olympics after Italian opponent Angela Carini withdrew just 46 seconds into the bout. Carini, who signaled to her corner to stop the fight, later revealed she felt intense pain and suspected she had suffered a broken nose.
Cariniโs abrupt exit has reignited debate over Khelifโs participation in womenโs events. Khelif was previously disqualified from the 2023 World Championships for failing to meet the International Boxing Associationโs (IBA) eligibility criteria, which disallow athletes with XY chromosomes from competing in womenโs categories. Despite this, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed her to compete in Paris.
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After the match ended, the Italian boxer dropped ti her knees and burst into tears and said that she had never felt such strong blows in a context before.
Speaking after the fight, Carini said, โFor me, itโs not a defeat. When you climb those ropes, youโre already a warrior, youโre already a winner. I didnโt lose tonight โฆ I only did my job as a fighter. I didnโt make it. Iโm coming out with my head held high and with a broken heart.โ She emphasized the need for maturity in recognizing when to stop, adding, โItโs not giving up. Itโs having the maturity to say: โOK, thatโs enoughโ.โ
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and debate over the fairness of Khelifโs participation. Elon Musk shared the post by Riley Gaines with a picture of Carini that wrote โMen donโt belong in womenโs sports #IStandWithAngelaCariniโ and wrote โAbsolutelyโ
Absolutely https://t.co/twccUEOW9e
โ Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 1, 2024
Oliver Brown, Chief Sports Writer for The Telegraph, remarked, โIn a highly emotional interview, Angela Carini has just explained that she abandoned because she had never been punched so hard. Imane Khelif said nothing. And this is the issue that the IOCโs Mark Adams suggested everyone should just โdial downโ. An absolute scandal.โ
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Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss expressed her disapproval, stating, โWhen will this madness stop? Men cannot become women. Why is the British Government not objecting to this?โ JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, added, โWhat will it take to end this insanity? A female boxer left with life-altering injuries? A female boxer killed?โ
A young female boxer has just had everything sheโs worked and trained for snatched away because you allowed a male to get in the ring with her. Youโre a disgrace, your โsafeguardingโ is a joke and #Paris24 will be forever tarnished by the brutal injustice done to Carini. https://t.co/JMKzVljpyr
โ J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 1, 2024
Social media has been ablaze with comments and criticism. One user commented, โToday, Angela Carini had her Olympics dreams shattered by Imane Khelif, a male boxer. It is suspected that he BROKE HER NOSE. Donโt let this pass quietly. MEN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BEAT WOMEN FOR SPORT. SAVE WOMENโS SPORTS.โ
A weak man who loves beating up women. pic.twitter.com/3PREr0VfZd
โ Who Cares (@ReadyForReset) August 1, 2024
Wait. I missed something. SOMEONE thought it was an Olympic sport to have a male fight a female. Please tell me. Cause that person or persons should be PIMP SLAPPED AND PUT INTO JAIL.
โ Mr X (@FrancisM911) August 1, 2024
I wonder if the man feels some sort of gratification from fighting a woman.. sad what this world has come to
โ Justin Sr. ๐บ๐ธ (@Veritas_56) August 1, 2024
Another wrote, โA weak man who loves beating up womenโฆ The Olympics are shameful allowing Men into Boxing. Do they not understand the strength difference? Boycott these frauds.โ
As the debate continues, the IOC faces growing pressure to revisit and clarify its policies on gender eligibility in womenโs sports.
