The Paris Olympics saw a poignant moment when Italy’s Angela Carini broke down in tears and withdrew from her Round of 16 boxing match against Algeria’s Imane Khelif. Just 46 seconds into the bout, Carini, competing in the 66kg category, was reportedly struck with a force she described as unprecedented, leading to a suspected broken nose. The BBC and the Telegraph have reported on the severity of Carini’s injuries.
Early in the bout, a brief interruption occurred as Carini needed to adjust her head guard, which had been dislodged by Khelif’s punches. Shortly thereafter, a powerful punch from Khelif left Carini bleeding and unable to continue. The referee halted the match and raised Khelif’s hand as Carini sank to her knees, visibly distressed. Despite Khelif’s attempts to offer comfort, Carini’s focus remained on expressing her dissatisfaction with the situation, telling her coach, “It is not right, it is not right.”
Post-match, Carini addressed the media, expressing her heartbreak and emphasizing her decision to prioritize her health. “I was told many times I was a warrior, but I chose to stop for my health,” Carini, 25, from Naples, said. “I have never felt a punch like this. I entered the ring to fight, but one punch was too much, so I said enough. I’m leaving with my head held high.”
Carini explained that the force of the punch to her nose was too severe for her to continue. “Going into the ring is already a victory,” she stated. “It’s not up to me to judge fairness. I did my job and left with dignity. I was focused and prepared, but the pain was too much.”
Khelif, who did not comment extensively to the press, told the BBC briefly, “I am here for gold. I will fight anybody, I will fight them all.” In a statement to Algerian public television, she said, “I am working to provide the best performance to make my people proud.”
The participation of Khelif has drawn criticism due to previous eligibility issues. Last year, Khelif was disqualified from the World Championships in New Delhi after failing the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) gender-eligibility criteria. Both Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting had been excluded based on DNA tests showing XY chromosomes, typically associated with male biology.
Despite this, Khelif and Yu-ting were allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics under the oversight of the newly established Paris Boxing Unit (PBU), as the IBA is no longer recognized by the IOC. The IBA’s decision was challenged but later withdrawn by Khelif, and Yu-ting did not pursue an appeal.
The IOC has maintained that Khelif met its eligibility requirements, though details of these criteria have not been disclosed. This has sparked criticism from figures like UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem, who expressed concern over the physical and psychological impact on female athletes. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also weighed in, arguing against allowing athletes with male genetic characteristics to compete in women’s events to ensure fairness.
Support for Khelif has come from some quarters, including former world champion boxer Amy Broadhurst, who defended Khelif by highlighting her track record. Author J.K. Rowling, however, criticized the Olympic organizers for allowing Khelif to compete, suggesting it reflects broader issues of fairness and gender in sports.
