Paris Olympics 2024: Italian boxer Angela Carini on Friday apologized to her Algerian rival Iman Khalife for walking out of the competition without the traditional handshake. Carini, who previously said it was “too sad” to continue competing, said in a recent interview that she was angry because her chance to win an Olympic medal was over.
Speaking to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, Carini said, “This controversy saddens me, and I also apologize to Iman Khalifa. It had nothing to do with them; She was there to fight just like me… I feel sorry for my opponent too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.
I had to save my life at that moment: Angela Carini
“It could have been the match of a lifetime, but I had to save my life at that moment.” Carini later said in a conversation with BBC Sport.
A new controversy broke out on Thursday when Carini decided to leave the match after just 46 seconds. The 25-year-old Carini took a punch to the face within the first 30 seconds of the fight, went to the corner to get her hair straightened and then went back to fight, but left the fight soon after.
Many on social media, including former US President Donald Trump, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and Harry Potter author JK Rowling, have questioned the International Olympic Committee’s decision to allow Khalif to compete. It is notable that Khalif was banned from the 2023 World Championships after failing the eligibility tests set by the now-banned International Boxing Federation.
Paris Olympics 2024: IOC reacts to criticism of Khalif’s participation
The IOC defended its decision to allow Khalif to participate in a statement released Thursday, saying that athletes’ gender and age are based on information available on their passports and that Khalif was designated as female at birth. Was.
The IOC said in its statement, “Every person has the right to practice sport without discrimination… All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are subject to the competition’s eligibility and entry rules, as well as the Paris 2024 Boxing Entity. Will follow all applicable medical rules prescribed by (PBU).”