Algerian boxer in Olympic gender row wins in 46 seconds as Italian PM hits out
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Imane Khelif of Algeria and Angela Carini of Italy react after their fight.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PARIS – Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who failed a gender eligibility test in 2023, pummelled her Italian opponent in 46 seconds at the Paris Olympics on Aug 1 to spark an angry reaction from Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
A distraught and hurt Angela Carini, who abandoned the bout, shrugged off attempts by the Algerian to shake her hand and collapsed to her knees and sobbed before breaking into tears again in front of dozens of reporters.
Khelif advanced to the quarter-finals of the women’s 66kg category after unloading two strong punches on Carini, who had blood on her shorts and was unable to carry on because of a badly hurt nose.
“I have a big pain in my nose and I said, ‘Stop’. It’s better to avoid keeping going. My nose started dripping (with blood) from the first hit,” the Italian said. “I fought very often in the national team. I train with my brother. I’ve always fought against men, but I felt too much pain today.”
Khelif and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-ting, who fights in the 57kg category on Aug 2, were disqualified from the 2023 world championships but were deemed eligible to box in the women’s competition in Paris.
They had failed International Boxing Association (IBA) eligibility rules that prevent athletes with XY chromosomes – or elevated levels of testosterone – from competing in women’s events.
But they were allowed to compete at these Games, a competition run by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after the body stripped the IBA of international recognition over issues related to governance and finance.
As the controversy threatened to overshadow boxing at the Games, Ms Meloni denounced a fight that was “not on an equal footing”.
“I do not agree with the IOC,” she said. “I think that athletes who have male genetic characteristics should not be admitted to women’s competitions.”
Algeria’s Olympic Committee (COA) on July 31 had condemned what it called “malicious and unethical attacks” directed against Khelif by certain foreign media.
The COA hit out at “lies” that were “completely unfair”.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams said this week: “Everyone competing in the women’s category... is complying with competition eligibility rules. They are women in their passports and it’s stated in there that they are female.” AFP, REUTERS
