During the Paris Olympics, Italian boxer Angela Carini faced Algerian opponent Imane Khelif, resulting in Carini ending the fight just 46 seconds in, visibly distressed and in tears. Carini, 25, highlighted the severity of Khelif’s punches, marking an unprecedented moment in her career due to their intensity.
Khelif had been previously disqualified from the women’s World Championship in 2023 for failing testosterone and gender verification, leading to International Amateur Boxing President Umar Kremlev’s declaration that DNA testing confirmed Khelif’s XY chromosomes, warranting their exclusion from women’s events.
The altercation left Carini bloodied and emotionally shaken, particularly distressful as she aimed to honor her father with her performance. In an emotional moment post-match, Carini shared a conversation with her father, emphasizing his encouragement to “pedal harder” in the face of adversity, a principle she applied to her boxing career.
Despite the outcome, Carini stressed that giving up the match was a decision made in consideration of her health, despite her deep desire to win for her father’s sake. She clarified that the pain from the encounter was beyond anything she had previously experienced, and bowing out was a matter of personal dignity rather than defeat.
Khelif, on her part, expressed her determination to compete and win gold, unbothered by the controversies surrounding her participation.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also commented on the incident, advocating for fair competition and equity in women’s sports, underscoring the significance of having an equal playing field for female athletes without the involvement of those with male genetic traits.
This summarization reframes the essence and details of the original account, focusing on the emotional impact and broader implications of the incident while maintaining the integrity of direct quotes and critical information.
