In a surprising turn of events, Italian boxer Angela Carini will receive $50,000 from the International Boxing Association (IBA) despite her defeat in the welterweight category at the Paris Olympics 2024. Carini’s bout against Algeria’s Imane Khelif lasted a mere 46 seconds before she quit, visibly distressed, igniting a heated gender debate within the ongoing games.
Bout sparks emotional response and controversy
“I couldn’t look at her tears,” IBA President Umar Kremlev said in a press release. “I am not indifferent to such situations, and I can assure that we will protect each boxer. I do not understand why they kill women’s boxing. Only eligible athletes should compete in the ring for the sake of safety.”
IBA vs. IOC: Clash over gender eligibility
It is noteworthy that the IBA is not a sanctioned body by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Russia-backed organization had previously disqualified Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting at the 2023 World Championships for failing to clear gender eligibility tests. In a joint statement, the IOC and the Paris Olympics criticized the IBA’s actions, calling them arbitrary.
“These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process,” read the statement.
“The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years,” it further added.
Carini expresses regret and apologizes
Carini expressed her sadness over the controversy in an interview with the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
“All this controversy makes me sad,” Carini told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.
“It wasn’t something I intended to do. Actually, I want to apologize to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke,” she added.