Khelif vs Carini boxing fight at Paris Olympics: What’s the controversy?

Paris: A major controversy hit the Paris Olympics on Thursday when Algerian Imane Khelif came in the ring to fight against Italian Angela Carini in the women's 66 kg boxing preliminary round at the North Paris arena. The round of 16 lasted 46 seconds after the Italian boxer suffered an injury to her nose. 

As the bout started, Khelif landed one right hand and was about to punch Carini, within 35 seconds into the bout she raised her hand signalling for a headgear check. She returned to the ring and a few seconds later, she raised her glove to withdraw from the game.  

Media reports claim the 25-year-old Khelif is a ‘biological male’ who was disqualified at the 2023 World Championships for failing the gender test. Notably, International Boxing Association (IBA) eligibility rules that prevent athletes with XY chromosomes competing in women's events.

Was die italienische Boxerin #AngelaCarini heute erleben musste ist eine Schande für Olympia und die ungeschönte Wahrheit über einen #Trans-Hype der alle Frauen und Mädchen degradiert, entrechtet und gefährdet. Eine Frau wird gezwungen gegen #ImaneKhelif, einen biologischen Mann… pic.twitter.com/3pMHZ5rT1j

— Birgit Kelle (@Birgit_Kelle) August 1, 2024

Last year, IBA lost its recognition and the Paris competition is being run by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC cleared Khelif’s participation in the global event. The global olympic body also paved the way for Taiwan's double world champion Lin Yu-ting, who has also reportedly failed the gender test in the past and is considered a ‘biological male’. 

It is reported Carini is suspected to have broken her nose due to the punch landed by her opponent Khelif. This boxing event has sparked a major controversy on social media as many netizens wondered why men were allowed to enter the ring meant for women boxing players. 

Check out some of the tweets related to this controversy: 

Devastating as expected. Imane Khelif a man, beats Angela Carini in 46 seconds in Olympic Boxing this morning, by provably breaking her nose. This is not only unfair but can be deadly. F**k trans athletes. #AngelaCarini #OlympicGamesParis2024 pic.twitter.com/NTiLyAd3bB

— boxingMD (@BoxingMD1) August 1, 2024

In a highly emotional interview, Angela Carini has just explained that she abandoned because she had never been punched so hard.

Imane Khelif said nothing. And this is the issue that the IOC’s Mark Adams suggested everyone should just ‘dial down’.

An absolute scandal pic.twitter.com/BzKSpphhM0

— Oliver Brown (@oliverbrown_tel) August 1, 2024

The most shameful 46s in Olympic history. Today the IOC allowed a male boxer to fight this brave woman Angela Carini. Here she is walking out to the ring to face a man. /1 pic.twitter.com/9k2aNjfxws

— FairPlayForWomen (@fairplaywomen) August 1, 2024

The beating up of Angela Carini, an Italian woman, by Imane Khelif, an Algerian man, live streamed from the Paris Olympics as "Women's Boxing" is a testament to the infiltration of The Temple of Satan in our society disguised as Wokeism. Let's stop this abomination. pic.twitter.com/VdqfkSYMQ2

— Robin Monotti (@robinmonotti) July 30, 2024