After Italian boxer Angela Carini walked out of her fight against Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, Carini claimed she’d never been hit like that before in her career. This led to a flurry of fake news and noticeable transphobia.
Although several people, including J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk, and Piers Morgan, have referred to Khelif as a man, a trans woman, or biologically male, she is not.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqEAfu3e48o
Angela Carini’s vs Imane Khelif
After a barrage of misinformation and hate, the IOC supported Khelif and confirmed her eligibility. However, Hungarian athlete Anna Luca Hamori expressed displeasure on social media by sharing a controversial image of a boxer fighting a demon-like figure. Though Hamori quickly deleted the post, it was captured by others and criticized as unsportsmanlike and discriminatory.
In an interview, Hamori stated she wasn’t afraid of Khelif and believed that defeating her would be an even greater victory if Khelif was a man.
“I’m not scared. I don’t care what the media or social media say. If she’s a man, it will be an even bigger victory for me if I win,” Hamori said.
Imane Khelif Receives Apology from Angela Carini
On Friday, Carini broke her silence and expressed regret in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I want to apologize to her. This whole controversy makes me very sad. I’m sorry for my opponent too. If the IOC says she’s eligible to fight, I respect that decision. I didn’t intend for this to happen. Honestly, I’d hug her if I saw her again.”
Carini’s walkout and subsequent comments ignited a wave of misinformation and attacks against Khelif, prompting the IOC to step in. The IOC reaffirmed that Khelif meets all competition eligibility and registration standards, so her second fight remains scheduled.
Joint Paris 2024 Boxing Unit/IOC Statementhttps://t.co/22yVzxFuLd pic.twitter.com/fZvgsW8OOi
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) August 1, 2024
Who is Imane Khelif?
Imane Khelif, born in Algeria, has represented her country in numerous competitions and faced scrutiny due to her physical appearance.
Despite rumors suggesting she is a trans woman, Khelif is biologically female and lives as such. She has hyperandrogenism, a condition that affects her testosterone levels.
In 2023, Khelif was disqualified from the World Championships in New Delhi due to elevated testosterone levels. Despite this, she has achieved significant accolades, including a gold medal at the 2022 Mediterranean Games in Oran, three African championships, two titles as Algeria’s top female athlete, and a silver medal from the International Boxing Association (IBA).