Imane Khelif’s boxing match at the Paris 2024 Olympics began with a surprising turn of events. The Algerian boxer faced off against Italian competitor Angela Carini in the women’s welterweight division.
The bout took an unexpected twist when Carini, who was struck twice by Khelif in the first round, chose to abandon the fight after just 46 seconds. Khelif was subsequently declared the winner.
Khelif’s participation in the Olympics hasn’t been without controversy.
Last year, she was disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi due to elevated testosterone levels. The disqualification came just hours before her gold medal match against China’s Yang Liu.
The Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) criticized this decision, alleging it was part of a conspiracy to prevent them from winning gold. They attributed Khelif’s high testosterone levels to medical reasons rather than any unfair advantage.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) clarified that Khelif and another disqualified athlete, Lin Yu-Ting from Taiwan, did not undergo recent testosterone tests.
Instead, they were evaluated using a separate, recognized test at previous World Championships. The IBA’s results suggested that both athletes had competitive advantages over other female competitors.
This led to a contentious situation, with the IBA criticizing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its different regulations, which they argue could compromise competitive fairness and athlete safety.
IOC’s Stance and Criticism
The IOC has maintained that Khelif and Yu-Ting met the eligibility criteria for the Paris 2024 Olympics. An IOC spokesperson, Mark Adams, advised against a “witch hunt” and stressed that the cases were not related to transgender issues.
Adams urged for a reduction in inflammatory rhetoric and affirmed that the rules in question were consistent with those used at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Italian Reactions
Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi expressed concerns about the fairness of the competition, questioning the consistency of hormonal value parameters at international events.
Eugenia Roccella, Italy’s Family and Equal Opportunities Minister, went further by suggesting that Khelif and Yu-Ting might be transgender, adding to the controversy.
Moving Forward
The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) has chosen a cautious approach, deferring to the broader Olympic framework while ensuring athletes’ rights are upheld according to the Olympic Charter and health regulations.
CONI has yet to address Khelif directly in their statements, focusing instead on maintaining the integrity of the sport and the competition.
As the debates continue, the focus remains on how these eligibility issues will affect future Olympic competitions and the athletes involved.
TDPel Media
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