Italian boxer Angela Carini made headlines at the Paris Olympics when she abruptly abandoned her bout against Algerian opponent Imane Khelif. Carini, aiming to honor her late father and coach, quit the match after just 46 seconds, citing pain from Khelif’s punches.
Although Carini insisted that her decision was not a political statement and was purely due to the physical toll of the fight, the move reignited debate around Khelif’s eligibility after she failed a gender eligibility test last year. Carini’s emotional exit from the ring led to a rare moment in Olympic boxing and sparked discussions at a higher level.
Carini, a former silver medalist at world and European championships, received the nickname “tiger” from her father and has a strong background in sports, previously excelling in clay pigeon shooting. The 25-year-old athlete, deeply affected by her father’s loss, expressed regret for not shaking Khelif’s hand after the bout and apologized for any unintentional offense.
The IOC has defended Khelif’s right to compete, despite concerns raised by Carini’s actions. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni met with IOC president Thomas Bach to address the issue, emphasizing the need for athlete safety and competition integrity. Carini’s tearful post-fight statement highlighted her pain and disappointment, acknowledging the turmoil caused by the incident. The attention on this controversial moment has brought the discussion about gender eligibility in sports to the forefront, prompting further reflection on the complexities of fair competition.
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