Khelif was deemed to have male chromosomes by the IBA
Famed "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling and several others weighed in after an Olympic boxer deemed to have male chromosomes won a fight in Paris in 46 seconds on Thursday.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif defeated Italy’s Angela Carini after Carini abandoned the match. Carini later explained she was hit hard and couldn’t compete anymore.
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Angela Carini reacts after she abandoned her fight against Imane Khelif at the Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/John Locher)
But controversy swirled on social media as Khelif has been in the midst of a firestorm over gender eligibility questions stemming from a disqualification in 2023. Users on X ripped the decision to allow Khelif to compete.
A young female boxer has just had everything she’s worked and trained for snatched away because you allowed a male to get in the ring with her. You’re a disgrace, your ‘safeguarding’ is a joke and #Paris24 will be forever tarnished by the brutal injustice done to Carini. https://t.co/JMKzVljpyr
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 1, 2024
Come on world media… stop being complicit in the charade? No males no matter what they call themselves in sport for females… they’re welcome in sport for other males. They have always been included. Just not where they get an unfair dangerous advantage. It’s not hard.
— Sharron Davies MBE (@sharrond62) August 1, 2024
Exactly right.
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) August 1, 2024
This is all on IOC and those in power who make the rules. It’s a travesty and makes a mockery of all Olympic sports. https://t.co/LTKF8Yt9z5
I didn't delete the video. #Strange
— April Hutchinson (@Lea_Christina4) August 1, 2024
Try #2.
Carini v. Khelif
Truly heartbreaking.
Reports saying she yelled "Non è giusto": that's not fair, that's not right.@iocmedia @coachblade @icons_women @Riley_Gaines_@Martina pic.twitter.com/DzlZV8P6sg
Today, Angela Carini had her Olympics dreams shattered by Imane Khelif, a male boxer.
— Hazel Appleyard (@HazelAppleyard_) August 1, 2024
It is suspected that he BROKE HER NOSE.
Don’t let this pass quietly. MEN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BEAT WOMEN FOR SPORT.
SAVE WOMEN’S SPORTS. pic.twitter.com/i5GMdgWrwb
Shame on everyone who allowed this to happen and finally, shame on those of you who have the audacity to defend why this should happen. This isn’t women’s sport, this is a disgrace. #SaveWomensSport #Paris2024 https://t.co/JyEnB2qB0J
— Lucy Zelić (@LucyZelic) August 1, 2024
Khelif was disqualified during the 2023 World Championships, sanctioned by the International Boxing Association. The organization said Khelif, and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting failed to meet gender eligibility standards.
IBA president Umar Kremlev explained the decision at the time, according to Russia’s Tass News Agency. Reuters reported at the time that Khelif tested positive for having high levels of testosterone.
Imane Khelif, left, fights Angela Carini at the Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/John Locher)
ITALIAN BOXER BREAKS SILENCE AFTER ABANDONING OLYMPIC BOUT AGAINST FIGHTER IN GENDER CONTROVERSY
"Based on DNA tests, we identified a number of athletes who tried to trick their colleagues into posing as women. According to the results of the tests, it was proved that they have XY chromosomes. Such athletes were excluded from competition," Kremlev said.
Khelif and the Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) both denied the claims. The International Olympic Committee also cleared Khelif to compete in the Games.
After the fight, Carini, was heard yelling to hear coaches in Italian questioning the fairness of the bout. She then broke her silence about why she abandoned the match.
"I got into the ring to fight," she said, via Italy’s ANSA. "I didn't give up, but one punch hurt too much, and so I said enough.
Imane Khelif interacts with a coach at the Olympic Games at North Paris Arena on Aug. 1, 2024. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
"I'm going out with my head held high."
Carini’s coach, Emanuele Renzini, said quitting the match wasn’t a part of the plan ahead of time.
"It would have been easier not to show up, because all of Italy had been asking her not to fight for days," Renzini said. "But Angela was motivated and wanted to do it.
"Of course, when she met her opponent at the draw, she said, 'It's not fair.’ But there was no premeditation here today. She quit after taking one punch, she told me she didn't feel she could fight."
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
