Italian Boxer Abandons Olympic Bout Against Algerian Opponent Amid Gender Controversy After 46 Seconds

Aug 1, 2024, 02:30 PM

In a highly controversial bout at the Paris Olympics, Italian boxer Angela Carini abandoned her fight against Algerian opponent Imane Khelif just 46 seconds into the match. Khelif, who has been previously disqualified from a women's boxing championship for failing a gender test due to having XY chromosomes, landed two powerful punches that left Carini in tears and with a suspected broken nose. Carini, who was fighting in honor of her late father, expressed that she had never been hit so hard in her life and felt the match was unjust. The incident has reignited debates over gender eligibility in women's sports, with critics arguing that allowing biological males to compete against females is unfair and potentially dangerous. Carini's helmet was dislodged during the fight, and she stated that it is up to the IOC to judge the situation.