The reason an Olympic boxer is permitted to compete despite failing a gender eligibility test has been disclosed.
Angela Carini and Imane Khelif stepped into the ring at the Paris 2024 Olympics earlier today (August 1), and their match has made headlines.
The bout was short-lived, with the two fighters exchanging only a few punches before Carini abruptly ended the match.
Carini’s headgear seemed to become dislodged twice before she threw in the towel, and the Italian even refused to shake Khelif’s hand after Khelif was declared the winner.
The fight was over after just 46 seconds. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Regarding her decision to end the fight early, Carini stated, “I have always honored my country with loyalty. This time I couldn’t continue because I was unable to fight any longer. So, I ended the match.
According to the ANSA news agency, Carini said after the fight, “I went into the ring to fight. I didn’t give up, but a punch hurt too much, so I decided to call it quits.”
“I’m leaving with my head held high.”
Khelif’s highly publicized victory followed her disqualification from the 2023 World Championships due to an unspecified gender eligibility test failure.
At the time, the International Boxing Association stated that the athlete had elevated levels of testosterone.
According to Reuters, Khelif’s disqualification was due to the IBA eligibility rules, which barred athletes with XY chromosomes from competing in women’s events.
However, the athlete was deemed eligible to compete in the 2024 Olympics, a competition organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Imane Khelif is allowed to compete in the Olympics despite being banned from other competitions. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
On Tuesday, July 30, the IOC defended Khelif’s right to compete, just before her latest victory.
“Everyone competing in the women’s category is complying with the competition eligibility rules,” said IOC spokesperson Mark Adams.
“They are women according to their passports, and it is stated that they are female,” Mark Adams added.
