Paris Olympics: Angela Carini Ends Fight Early After 46 Seconds Amid Controversy

August 2, 2024: In a dramatic and controversial turn at the Olympics, Italian boxer Angela Carini abandoned her fight against Algeria’s Imane Khelif just 46 seconds into the bout. The match, held at the North Paris Arena, ended abruptly after Khelif’s powerful punches dislodged Carini’s chinstrap and caused a noticeable injury to her nose.

Carini, visibly emotional and in tears, decided to withdraw from the match after experiencing intense pain and fearing a broken nose. She expressed deep disappointment, stating she had never felt such a severe punch before and chose to prioritize her health over continuing the fight. Despite her initial resolve and warrior mentality, Carini’s physical discomfort led her to concede, leading her to leave the ring sobbing and refusing to shake Khelif’s hand.

The controversy surrounding the match is compounded by Khelif’s eligibility. Khelif and another boxer, Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan, are competing despite being disqualified from last year’s women’s world championships for failing gender eligibility tests. Both athletes had previously been excluded due to having XY chromosomes, typically associated with male genetic characteristics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) defended their inclusion, citing compliance with entry regulations based on passport details and previous competition history.

The fight has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who expressed concerns about fairness in the competition. Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women, and Australian boxing captain Caitlin Parker also voiced concerns about the safety and ethics of allowing such matches.

In response to the criticism, the IOC stated that their decision followed proper procedures, despite the contentious nature of the issue. The Algerian Olympic Committee defended Khelif, condemning what they described as unfair attacks on the athlete.