Italian Boxer Abandons the After 46 Seconds
In a dramatic turn of events at the North Paris Arena, Italian boxer Angela Carini abandoned her women’s 66 kg Round of 16 bout against Algerian Imane Khelif just 46 seconds into the first round at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Khelif’s Controversial History
Khelif, previously disqualified from the 2023 World Championships gold medal match due to failing gender eligibility tests, faced significant scrutiny. Despite this, the International Olympic Committee allowed her to compete under the less stringent rules from the Tokyo 2021 Games, which are currently in place for the Paris Olympics.
The match
During the bout, Carini, who is six centimeters shorter than Khelif, went to her coach after 30 seconds to adjust her headgear. She briefly resumed fighting but soon returned to her corner, asking for the match to be stopped. When the referee declared Khelif the winner, an angry Carini pulled her hand away from the official and exited the ring without shaking her opponent’s hand.
Broader implications
The incident underscores ongoing debates about gender eligibility in sports. The International Boxing Association (IBA) had previously implemented stricter gender testing methods, leading to Khelif’s and others’ disqualifications. The International Olympic Committee’s decision to revert to the previous rules has sparked controversy, highlighting the challenges in balancing fair competition with inclusivity..