“I wasn’t able to finish the match, I felt a strong pain to my nose and I said [to myself] for the experience that I have and the maturity as a woman that I have, I said I hope my nation won’t take it badly, I hope my dad won’t take it badly – but I stopped, I said stop for myself.”
Angela Carini
Introduction
Sports have tried to become an inclusive sport over the years, but boxing at this year’s Olympics in Paris has received an outcry of objections. In a display of madness, the IOC allowed the Italian female boxer Angela Carini to fight Algeria’s Imane Khelif. A person who identifies as a female, Imane is one of two boxers cleared to compete in the Olympics but disqualified from last year’s Women’s World Championships for failing to meet eligibility criteria.Imane had already been disqualified in India for having raised levels of testosterone. The 25-year-old who had received a bye in the first round had already competed in Tokyo. A boxer who received a loud cheer from the Algerian fans ringside when he entered the Arena Paris Nord.
The Debate
In my opinion, this fight should never have taken place and was totally unfair. The fact that Angela conceded the bout after 46 seconds shows that she was fearful of what could happen to her if it continued. The punch to her nose after 30 seconds brought her to tears and she was heard saying “It’s not right” when Imane raised his arm in a state of victory. This could have been the match of a lifetime for this promising Italian female boxer but she was robbed of a fair match. The fact that Khelif was prepared to carry on and is prepared to fight anyone, shows the arrogance of a boxer who is prepared to see the winning line before personal safety.
Women’s sports should be competed by women and if the Olympics or any other sports organisation choose to hold events for identifying females then so be it. End this constant debate by many and make a definitive and final decision. It is a disgrace and must be put to an end. Sharron Davies has long argued on social media that this a crazy decision but to date, has fallen on deaf ears. This continued experiment with sport doesn’t work and it frankly leaves a bitter taste for those who genuinely want to compete and win trophies and medals.
