An Algerian boxer with male chromosomes won a match in the women’s 66-kilogram division at the Paris Olympics on Thursday.
Imane Khelif secured victory over Italy’s Angela Carini after Carini withdrew from the fight. The match lasted only 46 seconds before Carini called it off with her cornermen.
Khelif celebrated her victory while Carini was left in tears. Following the match, Carini was heard questioning the fairness of the bout to her coaches in Italian.
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Angela Carini of Italy reacts after her match with Imane Khelif of Algeria. (REUTERS/Isabel Infantes)
Afterward, she explained her decision to withdraw from the match.
“I entered the ring to compete,” she stated via Italy’s ANSA. “I didn’t quit voluntarily, but one punch caused too much pain, so I called it quits.”
“I’m leaving with my head held high.”
Carini’s coach, Emanuele Renzini, noted that quitting was not part of their strategy prior to the match.
“It would have been easier not to participate, since many in Italy were advising her against fighting for days,” Renzini remarked. “But Angela was motivated and eager to compete.”
“Initially, when she saw her opponent at the draw, she reacted by saying ‘it’s not fair.’ But there was no premeditated plan to quit; she withdrew after sustaining one punch, telling me she didn’t feel capable of continuing.”
Khelif has faced significant scrutiny due to a failed gender eligibility assessment in 2023.
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Angela Carini of Team Italy reacts after withdrawing from the Women’s 66kg preliminary round match against Imane Khelif of Team Algeria during the first round on day six of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at North Paris Arena on August 01, 2024, in Paris, France. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
In 2023, Khelif faced disqualification during the World Championships, as the International Boxing Association indicated that Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting did not meet gender eligibility criteria.
IBA President Umar Kremlev elaborated on the decision at that time, as reported by Russia’s Tass News Agency. Reuters also indicated that Khelif had tested positive for elevated testosterone levels.
“DNA tests revealed several athletes trying to deceive others by posing as women. The results indicated they have XY chromosomes. Consequently, such participants were excluded from competition,” Kremlev stated.
Both Khelif and the Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) refuted these claims. The International Olympic Committee also authorized Khelif to compete in the Olympics.
“All competitors in the women’s category are adhering to the eligibility rules,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams asserted. “They have identifying documents as women, and it’s verified that they are female.”
Italy’s Angela Carini in action against Algeria’s Imane Khelif during the women’s 66kg preliminaries of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the North Paris Arena, Villepinte on August 1, 2024. (MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Algerian Imane Khelif reduced Italy’s Angela Carini to tears (Getty Images)
Imane Khelif of Team Algeria converses with a coach after Angela Carini of Team Italy (not shown) abandons the Women’s 66kg preliminary round match during the first round on day six of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at North Paris Arena on August 01, 2024, in Paris, France. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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The COA labeled the accusations as “unfounded.”
“The COA vehemently denounces the unethical targeting and defaming of our distinguished athlete, Imane Khelif, perpetuated by certain foreign media outfits,” the committee stated on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
Imane Khelif of Algeria and Angela Carini of Italy react post-fight. (REUTERS/Isabel Infantes)
“Such attacks on her character and respectability are unjustifiable, particularly as she approaches the peak of her career at the Olympics. The COA has implemented all necessary measures to safeguard our champion.”
Italy’s ANSA reported that Rosario Coco, the president of Gaynet Communications in Italy, noted that Khelif is intersex and not transgender.
“Contrary to circulating reports, Algerian athlete Imane Khelif is not a trans woman,” Coco told the news agency.
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“Based on the information we have regarding her, she is an intersex individual, who has consistently identified as a woman and has a history of competing in women’s events.”
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