Italian boxer Angela Carini has apologised to her opponent, Algerian boxer Imani Khelif, who is alleged to be transgender, for her conduct during their bout at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Carini clarified that she did not intend to disgrace her opponent over her gender status, but her actions were driven by anger.
“All this controversy makes me sad, I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision,” Carini told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, as reported by bbc.com.
Carini, also 25, mentioned that abandoning the fight was a mature decision, but she regretted not shaking hands with Khelif afterward.
“It wasn’t something I intended to do. Actually, I want to apologise to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke.”
Background:
Angela Carini abandoned her bout against Algerian alleged transgender boxer Imane Khelif at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Carini quit the fight just 46 seconds in after receiving the first punch. Khelif landed two heavy punches in the opening round, which appeared to have injured Carini’s chin.
Carini threw her helmet down and broke into tears as her coaches entered the ring to console her. Khelif was awarded the win following Carini’s decision to withdraw.
Khelif’s participation in the Olympics has been controversial, with many protesting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for allowing him to compete.
Along with Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu Ting, Khelif is one of the two transgender boxers cleared to compete at the Olympics.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
