The International Olympic Committee has issued a statement following the backlash stemming from Thursday’s boxing match between Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Italy’s Angela Carini.
Carini abandoned the bout after just 46 seconds, claiming she couldn’t continue because of the pain she felt, coupled with suspicions of Khelif being a biological male.
The Imane Khelif was not allowed to compete at the 2023 World Championships because high levels of testosterone came up on tests. However, the 25-year-old was cleared by the IOC and allowed to participate in the current games.
Imane Khelif’s victory has led to rife criticism, with many suggesting they put Carini in the firing line. But the committee has fired back with a clear statement.
“Every person has the right to practice sport without discrimination,” the statement reads. “All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit. As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, the gender and age of the athletes are based on their passport.
“These rules also applied during the qualification period, including the boxing tournaments of the 2023 European Games, Asian Games, Pan American Games and Pacific Games, the ad hoc 2023 African qualifying tournament in Dakar (SEN) and two world qualifying tournaments held in Busto Arsizio (ITA) and Bangkok (THA) in 2024, which involved a total of 1,471 different boxers from 172 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the Boxing Refugee Team and Individual Neutral Athletes, and featured over 2,000 qualification bouts.”
The IOC concluded with claims that it’s invested in “protecting the human rights of all athletes participating in the Olympic Games.”
Imane Khelif Remains In The Games Following Controversial Win
Khelif’s win has been allowed to stand despite the backlash. A bout against Hungary’s Luca Anna Hamori is set for Sunday.
Meanwhile, Angela Carini has explained her decision to forfeit the match.
“I’ve never taken a punch like that, it’s impossible to continue. I’m nobody to say it’s illegal,” she said. “I got into the ring to fight. But I didn’t feel like it anymore after the first minute. I started to feel a strong pain in my nose. I didn’t give up, but a punch hurt too much and so I said ‘enough.’ I’m leaving with my head held high.”
