Boxer in middle of Olympics gender storm forces furious first opponent to quit 46 seconds into fight
Imane Khelif’s first fight will do nothing to calm the controversy around the boxer’s entrance into the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Khelif, who failed gender eligibility tests at the 2023 world championships, forced her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, to withdraw from their opening-round bout in 46 seconds on Thursday.
A furious Carini was left in tears and retreating to her corner after getting hit twice in the face by Khelif.
She yelled at her corner as the match in the 66-kilogram division was called off.
“All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations,” the International Olympic Committee said in a statement prior to the Games.