Controversy Erupts as Algerian Boxer Faces Gender Eligibility Scrutiny at Olympics

The International Boxing Association (IBA) has pledged to award prize money to Italy's Angela Carini, whose 46-second Olympics defeat to an Algerian boxer at the center of a gender eligibility row has left the sport on the ropes. The bout has sparked controversy, with the IBA previously disqualifying Carini's opponent, Imane Khelif, from the world championship due to unspecified gender eligibility tests.

Unraveling the Gender Eligibility Debate in Women's Boxing

The Controversial Bout and Its Aftermath

The bout between Carini and Khelif was marked by controversy from the start. Carini stopped the fight after receiving two strong punches to the face, refusing to shake hands with her opponent and collapsing to the canvas in tears. The incident has raised questions about the fairness and safety of the competition, with the IBA president, Umar Kremlev, expressing his concern for the situation.Kremlev stated, "I couldn't look at her tears. I am not indifferent to such situations, and I can assure that we will protect each boxer. I do not understand why they kill women's boxing." He emphasized the need for only "eligible athletes" to compete in the ring for the sake of safety.

The Gender Eligibility Debate

The controversy surrounding the bout stems from the gender eligibility issues that have plagued Khelif's career. The Algerian boxer was previously disqualified by the IBA during last year's world championship after failing unspecified gender eligibility tests. However, there is no suggestion that Khelif, who has fought on the women's circuit for years, including in the Tokyo Olympics, identifies as anything other than a woman.The International Olympic Committee (IOC), on the other hand, has cleared Khelif to fight at the Paris Games, using the gender stated on the passport as their criterion for eligibility. This discrepancy between the IBA and the IOC has left Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting caught in the crossfire of a larger dispute between the two organizations.

The IBA's Response and Carini's Apology

In response to the incident, the IBA has pledged to award Carini prize money "as if she were an Olympic champion." The association stated that it would be rewarding all gold medallists 0,000, with ,000 going to the national federation and ,000 to the coach. However, the exact amount Carini will receive is still unclear.Carini has since apologized for not congratulating her opponent, acknowledging the controversy that surrounded the bout. "All the controversy made me sad and I'm sorry for my opponent too. It's nothing to do with her. She was here like me to fight," Carini told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "I was angry because my Olympics had just gone up in smoke but I've nothing against Imane Khelif. On the contrary, if I saw her again, I'd give her a hug."

The Ongoing Implications

The gender eligibility controversy has cast a shadow over the women's boxing competition at the Olympics, raising questions about the fairness and inclusivity of the sport. The IBA's decision to award Carini prize money is a gesture of goodwill, but it does not address the underlying issues that have led to this situation.As the competition continues, Khelif will face Hungary's Anna Luca Hamori in the women's 66kg quarter-final, with victory guaranteeing her a medal. The outcome of this bout and the ongoing discussions between the IBA and the IOC will have significant implications for the future of women's boxing and the broader issue of gender eligibility in sports.