Italian boxer Angela Carini has issued an apology to her Algerian opponent, Imane Khelif, following a highly controversial conclusion to their Olympic boxing match. The bout, which lasted a mere 46 seconds, ended abruptly when Carini withdrew, citing severe pain from a punch delivered by Khelif. Carini stated that the punch “hurt too much” for her to continue.
The unexpected end to the match has sparked significant discussion within the sports community. Speaking to the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Carini expressed her regret over the incident, saying, “All this controversy makes me sad. I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.”
The 25-year-old athlete acknowledged that while ending the fight was a mature decision, she felt remorse for not adhering to traditional sportsmanship by shaking Khelif’s hand post-match. “It wasn’t something I intended to do,” Carini remarked. “Actually, I want to apologize to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke.”
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Carini elaborated on the emotional turmoil she experienced during the fight, revealing that if given another chance to meet Khelif, she would “embrace her” as a gesture of reconciliation. The match quickly turned when Carini, after sustaining a punch to the face within the first 30 seconds, retreated to her corner for a headgear adjustment. Although she briefly resumed fighting, she soon returned to her corner and ultimately decided to stop the bout.
Reflecting on her decision, Carini told BBC Sport, “It could have been the match of a lifetime, but I had to preserve my life as well in that moment.”
The talk on Khelif’s eligibility has further stoked rumors of the contest. Khelif is one of just two female boxers ever to be granted permission by the Russia-led, Tokyo 2020-bound International Boxing Association (IBA) – after being disqualified from last year’s Women’s World Championships -to compete for an Olympic berth in women’s boxing at Paris.
However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has defended Khelif’s right to compete. IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated, “The Algerian boxer was born female, was registered female, lived her life as a female, boxed as a female, has a female passport.” Khelif’s participation highlights her resilience and the IOC’s commitment to inclusivity in sports.
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