The Algerian boxer is at the heart of the headlines for her high testosterone levels.
After being excluded by the IBA, the International Boxing Federation, for the same reason, she has been granted permission by the IOC to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The controversial victory of Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer, following the withdrawal of her opponent is the subject of debate. Unable to compete in the final of the last world championships due to her testosterone levels, she was nevertheless allowed to take part in the Paris 2024 Olympic tournament on Thursday. Her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, threw in the towel after just 45 seconds of combat.
The withdrawal has sparked controversy. Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer, began her competition in the under 66 kg category on Thursday, August 1, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. She won her round of 16 match against Italy’s Angela Carini, who retired after less than a minute following a direct blow to the face.
The decision by the Italian, in tears in the center of the ring, fueled controversy even before her bout with the Algerian.
“I got into the ring to fight. I didn’t surrender, but one punch hurt too much and I said that’s enough!“
Said the Italian boxer to her country’s media after her defeat.
“I’m no one to judge or make a decision. If this woman is here, there’s a reason.“
Said the Italian boxer to her country’s media after her defeat.
The head of the Italian government, Giorgia Meloni, came to Angela Carini’s defense, arguing that :
“Athletes with male genetic characteristics should not be admitted to women’s competitions“.
Giorgia Meloni
Matteo Salvini, vice-president of the Council and former interior minister, denounces a :
“a slap in the face to the ethics of sport and the credibility of the Olympic Games“.
Matteo Salvini
The far-right politician insists that :
“the trans Algerian boxer (sic)” to take part in the Olympics when she was “banned from the world boxing championships“
Matteo Salvini
Born female, Imane Khelif is the target of unfounded accusations that she is transgender. She was excluded from the World Amateur Championships in New Delhi (India) in March 2023, just before her gold medal fight, after failing to pass the tests set up by the international federation (IBA). She had been disqualified after “high levels of testosterone”, according to the Algerian boxer’s file provided by the IOC. A year later, she was allowed to take part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as she fulfilled “the eligibility rules”, recalls the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
On social networks, a hashtag #IStandWithAngelaCarini defends the Italian (“I support Angela Carini) and many messages denounce the fact “that a man can hit a woman in front of the whole world”.
Writer J.K. Rowling called out the “misogynistic sporting powers” who, she said, had deemed Imane Khelif eligible for the Olympics:
“A young boxer has just been robbed of everything she’s worked and trained for because you allowed a man to get in the ring with her.”
J.K. Rowling
