Angela Carini Abandons Bout Against Imane Khelif in 46 Seconds

Angela Carini of Italy abandoned her Olympic boxing match against Algeria’s Imane Khelif after just 46 seconds, citing concerns for her safety. Algerian fans warmly welcomed Khelif, who had previously faced disqualification from the 2023 Women’s World Championships due to elevated testosterone levels, at the Paris Olympics.

During the bout, Carini took a punch to the face and twice sought assistance from her coach before deciding to stop the fight, emphasizing the importance of self-preservation despite her disappointment. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the match’s fairness while Angela Carini hoped her supporters would understand her decision.

In contrast, Khelif expressed her determination to win gold and dismissed the controversy surrounding her eligibility. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) assured that all competing boxers met the eligibility criteria for Paris 2024, despite the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) past disqualifications at the World Championships.

The IBA defended its actions, citing concerns over fairness and competitive integrity. However, the IOC criticized the IBA’s abrupt and arbitrary disqualification of Khelif and another boxer, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, who also faced eligibility issues but competes in Paris.

The IOC emphasized that both athletes had competed in top-level competitions for years without issues. The controversy has cast a shadow over Olympic boxing, with BBC analyst Steve Bunce highlighting its potential impact on the sport’s future.

Khelif will face Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the 66kg quarter-finals where a victory will secure her an Olympic medal. Unfazed by the controversy, Hamori vowed to fight to the end.