Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who failed a gender eligibility test last year, has again become subject of controversy after she broke her Italian opponent’s nose in 46 seconds at the Paris Olympics.
Angela Carini said she decided to withdraw from the fight, because of a badly hurt nose, noting that she fought men in training but never felt so much pain.
Khelif and another Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, were disqualified from the world championships last year but deemed eligible to box in the women’s competition in Paris.
Meanwhile, today’s fight has sparked massive reactions, including a comment from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who said the fight was not on an equal footing.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams told reporters this week that everyone competing in the women’s category is complying with competition eligibility rules, insisting that their passports states that they are female.
Algeria’s Olympic Committee (COA) has also condemned what it called malicious and unethical attacks directed against their distinguished athlete, Imane Khelif, by certain foreign media.
