Algerian boxer Imane Khelif was allowed to compete in the women’s Olympics in Paris despite previously failing gender tests and being biologically male, causing outrage and conflict. Because of this, his opponent gave up the Thursday match against him after 46 seconds.
The Algerian boxer – and Taiwan’s Lin Jü-ting – were excluded from last year’s women’s boxing world championship precisely because they both had the X and Y chromosomes characteristic of men. Although the International Boxing Association (IBA) decided to ban them in 2023, the International Olympic Committee allowed Helif, who is classified as biologically male by the IBA, to compete in the five-ring games in Paris, where the IBA rules do not apply – explained the background is the website of the National Sport, Nso.hu.
On Thursday, the Algerian boxer got into a fight against the Italian Angela Carini, who in the 46th second of the match – after receiving two powerful blows – indicated that she would not continue.
The judge raised Helif’s hand, then Carini fell to his knees, burst into tears and shouted that this was unfair. The Italian later refused the Algerian’s handshake as he left the ring.
“I always tried to serve my country, but this time there was no point in continuing, I was unable to continue boxing. Even warriors give up sometimes. When the battle is lost, they stick the sword into the ground with honor. And that’s what I did too,” Carini said after the clash that caused the scandal.
Taiwan’s Lin Jü-ting, who, like Helif, was also excluded from last year’s World Championship due to problems with gender identification, as his testosterone level is too high, i.e. biologically male, will also compete in Paris.
Otherwise, the Algerian boxer’s next opponent in Paris will be Luca Hámori. On Thursday, the Hungarian boxer in the 66 kilogram weight group easily defeated her Australian opponent with a unanimous score, thereby making it to the top eight in the women’s boxing tournament of the Paris Olympics and only one success separates her from a medal. Hámori made her debut in Paris with a success against the Irish Grainne Walsh, where in the round of 16 she clashed with the fourth seed, Oceania champion Marissa Williamson, and won a dominant victory with an impressive performance.
The first Hungarian female Olympian in the history of boxing will fight with world championship silver medalist Imane Helif in the next round to be held on Saturday afternoon.
