An Italian boxer’s Olympic dream was abruptly ended after just 46 seconds in a controversial bout against an Algerian opponent, reigniting debates over gender eligibility in women’s sports.
In just 46 seconds, an Italian boxer’s Olympic dream was shattered when she retired from a bout against an Algerian fighter at the Paris Olympics, amid a controversy over the opponent’s gender eligibility.
Imane Khelif, a 25-year-old Algerian boxer, was allowed to compete at the 2024 Olympics despite being disqualified from the International Boxing Association (IBA) 2023 World Championships for failing gender-eligibility tests. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which uses different criteria for eligibility, cleared Khelif to participate.
"Everyone competing in the women’s category is complying with the competition eligibility rules," said IOC spokesperson Mark Adams. "They are women in their passports, and it’s stated that this is the case, that they are female."
The bout on Thursday between Angela Carini of Italy and Khelif highlighted ongoing concerns about athletes with high testosterone levels or other male characteristics competing in women’s sports. Carini, visibly struggling, twice went to her corner during the women’s 66kg clash—once to adjust her headgear after a punch and later to withdraw from the match after just 46 seconds.
After the match, a devastated Carini told Italy’s ASNA, "I’m used to suffering. I’ve never taken a punch like that; it’s impossible to continue... I got into the ring to fight, but I didn’t feel like it anymore after the first minute. I started to feel a strong pain in my nose. I didn’t give up, but the punch hurt too much, so I said enough. I’m leaving with my head held high."
Khelif was declared the winner, but Carini, overcome with emotion, refused to acknowledge her opponent and fell to her knees in tears as she faced the abrupt end of her Olympic journey.
Despite the victory, Khelif’s participation is clouded by controversy. She was previously disqualified from the 2023 World Boxing Championships after the IBA determined she had elevated testosterone levels and XY chromosomes. IBA President Umar Kremlev explained, "Based on DNA tests, we identified athletes who tried to trick their colleagues into posing as women... Such athletes were excluded from competition."
The Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) defended Khelif, condemning what they described as "unethical targeting" and "baseless propaganda" from foreign media, asserting they had taken measures to protect their athlete’s dignity.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who was visiting Italy’s athletes in the Olympic Village, expressed concern over Carini having to face Khelif. "We have to pay attention that in an attempt to not discriminate, we’re actually discriminating against women’s rights," Meloni said, adding that it was troubling to see "a suspicion, and far more than a suspicion, of an unfair and potentially dangerous contest" at an event meant to symbolize sporting fairness.
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