Imane Khelif scandal: Angela Carini arrived at Paris Olympics to honor her late father… instead, her 46-second loss has sparked a gender row that could overshadow the Games

The sixth day of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris took a scandalous turn when Angela Carini withdrew from her preliminary round match in the women’s boxing against Algeria’s Imane Khelif 46 seconds before the opening bell.

Khelif’s participation in the Games has been criticized, with her disqualification from the World Championships, for example, because “her elevated testosterone levels did not meet the eligibility criteria,” according to the IOC.

However, Khelif, a biological woman with abnormalities in sexual development, was given the green light to participate in Paris.

The decision became ammunition against the commission after Khelif gave Carini the “hardest blows” she could take, forcing her to withdraw.

For the Italian boxer, the loss meant a much greater chance of taking home a medal. The defeat in the round of 16 also derailed Carini’s promise to her late father before the Games.

Carini came to the Paris Games with a promise to honour her late father Guiseppe

After qualifying for the Paris Olympics, Carini said that securing a spot at the Olympics meant much more than just representing her country and competing on the world stage.

Carini’s father Giuseppe died in 2021, just days after she returned home from the Tokyo Games, so she made it her lasting mission to honor him in Paris and channel all the wisdom he had imparted to her before his passing.

“I want to show you something,” she said, pulling her cell phone out of her pocket after qualifying for the Games. “It’s my father. He said to me, ‘Angelina, a champion in boxing is a bit like a champion in cycling. They see the last mile and you know what they do? They pedal even harder. So go for it, because I will always be with you.’

“And I did. I fought to the end with blood in my eyes.”

A few days before the opening ceremony, Carini posted a slideshow of photos with her father on Instagram, writing, “and a promise to my father.”

Giuseppe passed away in 2021, shortly after Angela returned home from the Tokyo Olympics

Carini withdrew from the race less than a minute into the opening round on Thursday

The Italian boxer claimed she retired due to the power of Khelif’s punches

Khelif’s next opponent is unmoved despite the controversy over the Algerian’s illegibility

The dedication she had to fulfill her promise was reflected in the sadness Carini showed after failing to put up a fight on her way to elimination. Even in her loss, she referred to the encouragement she received from her father.

“I’m a fighter. My father taught me to be a warrior. When I’m in the ring, I use that mindset, a warrior mindset, a winning mindset,” Carini told reporters after leaving the match. “This time, I couldn’t be there.”

“I didn’t lose tonight, I just surrendered like a grown-up.”

“I’m used to suffering,” the Italian claimed after retiring from the race. “I’ve never had a blow like that, it’s impossible to continue. I’m not one to say it’s illegal.

Khelif will face Hungarian Anna Luca Hamori in the women’s welterweight quarterfinals

Hamori convincingly defeated Australian Marissa Williamson Pohlman in her last fight

Despite the IOC’s negative reaction to “allowing a trans woman” to compete in the event, Khelif will face Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the quarterfinals.

Although Khelif’s unfair dominance on the world stage has been called out, the Hungarian insists she has no fear ahead of Saturday’s match.

“I’m not afraid,” Hamori told reporters. “I don’t care about the press release and the social media. If he or she is a man, it’s a bigger victory for me if I win.”