The Italian boxer Angela Carini lost Thursday's qualifying match after 46 seconds against Algeria's Imane Khelif. The Italian received two powerful blows to the face, refused to shake hands, and then broke down in tears on the mat.
The loss sparked a debate since the International Boxing Federation (IBF) banned Khelif from competing in the women's World Championship last year due to unclear gender tests.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also questioned Khelif's participation in the Olympic Games.
Bach: Unacceptable
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved Khelif's participation in the Olympic Games in Paris, citing that she is a woman according to her passport. She has also competed against other women for several years, including in the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2021, and identifies as a woman.
Measuring testosterone levels is not a perfect test, the committee has also commented.
Now, IOC President Thomas Bach is outraged over the hate Khelif has faced after the match.
This is totally unacceptable. We will not participate in a politically motivated culture war, he says at a press conference.
We have two women who were born women, grew up as women, are women according to their passports, and have competed as women for many years.
Offering Carini Money
The IBF announces that they will offer Carini money equivalent to what an Olympic champion would receive, despite the loss. All gold medalists in boxing receive approximately one million kronor, with a smaller portion distributed to coaches and the national federation.
The case is complicated by the fact that the IOC has been in conflict with the IBF for some time and does not allow the organization to arrange the boxing tournament in the Olympic Games due to suspicions of corruption.
Khelif returns to the ring again on Saturday in the quarterfinals against Hungarian Anna Luca Hamori in the women's 66-kilogram class.
