Olympic Match Sparks Controversy: Imane Khelif vs. Angela Carini Criticized by Global Figures

Paris, 2nd August 2024: The Olympic match between Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Italy’s Angela Carini has ignited widespread criticism from notable figures including former US President Donald Trump, tech mogul Elon Musk, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Khelif was declared the winner after Carini, having endured several blows to the face, conceded just 46 seconds into the welterweight bout. Italian Prime Minister Meloni criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following Carini’s Round of 16 bouts in Paris, stating, “The initial fairness of the competition was questionable given the levels of testosterone present in the Algerian athlete.”

Meloni continued her critique, saying, “We must be cautious not to engage in discrimination while trying to avoid it.” She expressed further disappointment over Carini’s withdrawal. Similarly, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance echoed these concerns in their social media comments.

In response, the IOC defended its decision to allow the two female boxers to compete despite controversy surrounding gender issues. The IOC stated, “These athletes were unfairly affected by a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA.” The statement highlighted that the disqualification of the boxers by the IBA was initially made by the IBA Secretary General and CEO without proper procedure.

The IOC criticized the IBA’s disqualification decision from the previous year as arbitrary, which has fueled the backlash from public figures such as British author J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk. Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, a proponent of single-sex sports, supported Carini on X, stating, “Men don’t belong in women’s sports #IStandWithAngelaCarini.”

Following the match, Carini, 25, voiced her dissatisfaction, declaring, “This is unjust.” Her coach, Emanuele Renzini, revealed that many had advised Carini against fighting Khelif due to previous disqualification issues. “Many in Italy warned her: ‘Don’t go, it’s dangerous,’” Renzini said.

Carini, visibly distressed, described her experience after the match, saying, “I’ve never been hit so hard. I felt intense pain in my nose. Despite not wanting to give up, the pain was overwhelming, and I decided to withdraw. I leave with my head held high.” Riley Gaines posted a photo of Carini on her knees in the ring, calling it a “heartbreaking” moment.

YouTuber-turned-boxer Logan Paul condemned the match as “the purest form of evil,” criticizing the situation as allowing a man to defeat a woman on a global stage, which he described as crushing her dreams.

Earlier this week, the IOC reaffirmed its eligibility criteria, emphasizing that all athletes competing in women’s categories must adhere to established rules. Although Khelif had been disqualified from the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships due to elevated testosterone levels, she was permitted to compete in Paris under IOC regulations. The IOC’s fairness and inclusion policy, updated in 2021, permits each sport’s governing body to assess whether an athlete has an unfair advantage.