Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who failed a gender eligibility test last year, assaulted her Italian opponent in 46 seconds at the Paris Olympics on Thursday as the controversy threatened to overshadow the sixth day of the Games. It will also renew the debate over whether to include competitors from other sports in the Olympics and beyond who have undergone similar eligibility tests. A distraught and hurt Angela Carini ignored Khelif’s attempts to shake her hand afterwards and the Italian fell to her knees and sobbed uncontrollably in the middle of the ring.
Khelif advanced to the quarterfinals of the women’s under-66kg category after landing two hard punches on Carini, who had blood on his shorts and was unable to continue because of a nose injury.
The one-sided fight provoked an immediate reaction from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who said the fight was “not on an equal footing”.
“I have a lot of pain in my nose and I said: ‘Stop’. It’s better to avoid continuing. My nose started dripping (blood) from the first blow,” said an anguished Carini, who also started crying when talking to reporters.
The 25-year-old sobbed: “I fought a lot in the national team. I train with my brother. I’ve always fought against men, but today I felt a lot of pain.”
Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, who fights on Friday at 57kg, were disqualified from the world championships last year but deemed eligible to box in the women’s competition in Paris.
The IOC website for accredited media in Paris said 25-year-old Khelif was disqualified after “elevated testosterone levels did not meet eligibility criteria”.
Both boxed in the women’s event at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
“I don’t agree with the IOC,” said Meloni, during a meeting with Italian athletes in Paris.
“I think that athletes who have male genetic characteristics should not be admitted to women’s competitions.”
Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, wrote in X that Carini “and other female athletes should not have been exposed to this physical and psychological violence based on their sex.”
Khelif and Lin were disqualified from the 2023 world championships in New Delhi, run by the International Boxing Association (IBA).
Lin was stripped of his bronze medal after undergoing “biochemical” tests required by the IBA.
However, the International Olympic Committee is running boxing in the French capital because of governance, financial and ethical issues at the IBA.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams told reporters this week: “Everyone competing in the women’s category… is complying with the competition eligibility rules.
“They are women on their passports and it says they are women.”
‘Lies’
Khelif received a loud cheer when he entered the North Paris Arena, where there were several Algerian fans waving the country’s flag.
Before and during the brief fight, they shouted her name, but the action itself was over in the blink of an eye.
Khelif took a brief break to speak to reporters afterwards, saying: “It’s always gratifying to win such an important competition, but I remain focused on my goal of a medal.”
Algeria and Taiwan jumped to the defense of their boxers.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te gave 28-year-old Lin his public support.
“Yu-ting’s performances have inspired many Taiwanese players and united the Taiwanese people,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Now that she is once again on the international stage, we must remain united and root for her.”
The Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) condemned what it called “malicious and unethical attacks directed against our illustrious athlete, Imane Khelif, by some foreign media”.
The COA attacked “lies” that were “completely unfair.”
At least one boxer at the Games spoke out about her concerns.
Australian Caitlin Parker is in the under-75kg category, so she won’t face Khelif or Lin, but she made her position on the controversy clear.
“I don’t agree that this should be allowed, especially in combat sports, as it can be incredibly dangerous,” she said.
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