Khelif, who competed at the Tokyo Games in 2021, was disqualified from the final of the Women’s World Championships last year for failing International Boxing Association (IBA) eligibility rules which prevents athletes with XY chromosomes from participating in women’s events.
The Algerian has been cleared to compete at her second Olympics as the competition is run by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has released a statement insisting that all boxers ‘comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations’.
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But Khelif’s first appearance in Paris lasted less than a minute after Carini waved off the fight having taken a heavy punch to the face inside 30 seconds.
The Italian went back to her corner and was heard saying to her coach, ‘it’s not fair’ and ‘it hurts like hell’.
Carini’s was in tears in the ring as the official announcement was made that Khelif had won the fight.
Speaking shortly after Carini’s decision to withdraw, Italian PM, Meloni, criticised the IOC’s decision to allow Khelif to compete and said the contest ‘was not a competition on equal terms’.
‘I do not agree with the IOC’s choice, I have not for years,’ Meloni said.
‘When in 2021 the IOC changed the regulation on this matter we presented a motion to point out the consequences that this could have.
‘It is a fact that with the levels of testosterone present in the blood of the Algerian athlete the race at the start does not seem fair.
‘There were also profiles linked to safety and we must be careful, in an attempt not to discriminate, to discriminate. I have been trying for years to explain that some theses taken to the extreme risk impacting especially on women’s rights.
‘I think that athletes who have male genetic characteristics should not be admitted to women’s competitions and not to discriminate against anyone but to protect the right of athletes to be able to compete on equal terms.
‘I thank Angela Carini for how she fought. The fact that Angela withdrew makes me even more sorry, I was emotional yesterday when she wrote, “I will fight” because in these things dedication, head and character also count, but it also counts to compete on equal terms.
‘This, from my point of view, was not a competition on equal terms.’
Speaking after her decision to pull out of the fight, Carini said: ‘For me, it’s not a defeat.
‘For me, when you climb those ropes, you’re already a warrior, you’re already a winner.
‘Regardless of everything it’s okay, fine like this. I didn’t lose tonight, I only did my job as a fighter. I got in the ring and I fought. I didn’t make it. I’m coming out with my head held high and with a broken heart.’
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