Algerian boxer Imane Khelif wins first fight at Olympics after being cleared to compete in women’s event despite eligibility row – as Italian opponent abandons bout after 46 seconds

Imane Khelif has won her first bout after Italian opponent Angela Carini abandoned their bout after 46 seconds – with the Algerian boxer cleared to compete in the women’s event amid an eligibility row.

Carini was punched twice by Khelif in the opening round of their women’s welterweight bout in Paris.

The blows appeared to knock off the Italian boxer’s chin strap, with the fighter moving over to her corner.

Carini returned to the centre of the ring and abandoned the bout, leading to Khelif being declared as the winner.

The Italian boxer, who claimed before the fight that she could ‘only adapt to the rules of the Olympics‘, was then seen crying in the centre of the ring following the abrupt conclusion of the bout.

Algeria’s Imane Khelif, left, won the women’s welterweight bout when Angela Carini, right, abandoned

Carini was hit twice in the opening round before abandoning the contest after 46 seconds

The Italian boxer dropped to her knees after abandoning and was seen crying in the ring

 

‘I went into the ring to fight. I didn’t give up, but a punch hurt too much and so I said enough,’ Carini said post-fight, as reported by the ANSA news agency.

‘I’m leaving with my head held high.’

Khelif’s participation in the event has been a source of controversy having been disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championships last year.

The Olympics website noted that Khelif had been disqualified hours before a gold medal bout against China’s Yang Liu in New Delhi after her elevated levels of testosterone failed to meet the eligibility criteria.

The Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) hit back by claiming the disqualification was part of a ‘conspiracy’ to stop them from winning a gold medal and said ‘medical reasons’ were behind high testosterone levels.

Lin Yu-Ting of Taiwan was also disqualified from the World Championships.

According to feminist website Reduxx, both are thought both are impacted by a Difference of Sexual Development (DSD), a series of medical conditions identified at birth where genitalia is atypical in relation to chromosomes.

The International Boxing Association (IBA) released a statement on Wednesday, stating their decisions were made ‘after a meticulous review’.

‘They are women’: Olympics supports ‘biologically male’ athletes

Khelif’s participation in the event has been a source of controversy having been disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championships last year

Carini, right, admitted before the fight that ‘she could ‘only adapt to the rules of the Olympics’

The Algerian team have hit back at ‘baseless attacks’ against Khelif ahead of the competition

The IBA stated that neither athlete underwent testosterone exams, but were instead ‘subject to a separate and recognised test’ which were held at their World Championships in 2022 and 2023.

It is claimed the tests ‘conclusively indicated that both athletes did not meet the required necessary eligibility criteria’, with both boxers ‘found to have competitive advantages over other female competitors.’

The IBA hit out at the IOC, stating its differing regulations ‘raise serious questions about both competitive fairness and athletes’ safety.’

The IBA are not responsible for the Olympic competition having been stripped of recognition by the IOC amid ongoing governance issues – with the organisation establishing the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit to run the event.

The Boxing Unit has approved both boxers participation under rules in place for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which are less strict than the IBA’s.

Both Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting compete in Tokyo, with both losing in the early rounds of their respective events.

Ahead of Khelif’s first bout at Paris 2024, the COA slammed ‘baseless attacks’ against their boxer.

‘COA strongly condemns the unethical targeting and maligning of our esteemed athlete, Imane Khelif, with baseless propaganda from certain foreign media outlets.

The International Boxing Association, led by president Umar Kremlev, claimed their participation at the Olympics ‘raise questions about fairness and athletes’ safety’

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams had called for discussion to be ‘dialed down’ and warned against a witch-hunt against the two boxers ahead of Khelif’s first fight

Khelif had also competed at the Tokyo Olympics but was beaten in the early rounds

‘Such attacks on her personality and dignity are deeply unfair, especially as she prepares for the pinnacle of her career at the Olympics. The COA has taken all necessary measures to protect our champion.’

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams had warned against a ‘witch hunt’ against the two boxers cleared to compete in Paris and criticised misreporting, stressing the cases are not a transgender issue.

Adams had urged the rhetoric to be ‘dialled down’, adding that the ‘entirely comfortable with the rules’ which had previously been used at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The IOC plea, however, has not halted criticism over the decisions to approve their participation.

Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi claimed ahead of the fight that Carini was not competing in a fair competition and raised safety concerns.

‘I find it difficult to understand that there is no alignment in the parameters of minimum hormonal values at an international level, which includes the European and world championships and the Olympics,’ Abodi said.

‘In the event that represents the highest values of sport, the safety of female and male athletes must be guaranteed, as well as respect for fair competition. That is not how it will be for Angela Carini.’

Eugenia Roccella, Italy’s Family and Equal Opportunities Minister, went further by alleging that Khelif and Yu-Ting are transgender.

Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi claimed Carini was not competing in a fair competition

Lin Yu-Ting of Taiwan (left) will join Khelif in competing at the Paris Olympics this summer

Italy’s sporting bodies have been more conservative in their comments to date, with the boxing federation president Flavio D’Ambrosi deferring to the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).

‘On the Carini case, with prudence and institutional responsibility, I am leaving it up to CONI,’ D’Ambrosi said. ‘The interlocutor who should speak with the IOC is the Olympic Committee. I know that CONI has already raised a specific question and we are waiting for it to respond.

‘I haven’t heard from the athlete Carini but she’s not worried, she has to do her match and we’ll see. The press and the fans will have to judge. It’s a special case and I think it should be aligned with respect for the values ​​and rules of the Olympic charter.’

CONI posted a statement on their website – which did not refer to Khelif – writing ‘CONI has worked with the International Olympic Committee to ensure that the rights of all athletes comply with the Olympic Charter and health regulations.’

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Source: Los Angeles Times (edited)