The issue of gender inclusion in sports once again ignites debate among supporters and critics following events at the Olympic women's boxing this Thursday. Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew from her match against Algerian transgender boxer Imane Khelif at the Paris 2024 Games.
Only 46 seconds into the fight, the European boxer abandoned the bout, citing the severe strength of her opponent's punches. The group "Fair Play for Women," which focuses on raising awareness and protecting the rights of women and girls in the UK, reported this incident on the social media platform X.
After the 66-kilogram division match concluded, Carini confessed to the press that she had to stop the fight because she couldn't go on. "My nose hurt a lot and I said, 'Stop.' It's better not to continue. My nose started bleeding from the first punch," she told Europa Press.
"It could have been the fight of my life, but at that moment, I also had to safeguard my life," the pugilist added, noting, "I've always fought against men, but today I felt too much pain."
Khelif, disqualified from the 2023 Women's World Championships in New Delhi due to high testosterone levels, managed to join the Olympic team as she did previously in Tokyo 2020, as the governing body of boxing differs from world championship regulations.
One user, Marc Vidal, recounted a previous bout where Khelif "delivered a severe beating that disfigured the face of Mexican boxer Cruz Sandoval."
Due to governance issues, the International Boxing Association lacks recognition from the International Olympic Committee, which acknowledges that Khelif meets the requirements to compete in the women's category as a woman, as stated in her passport.
On X, the account "End Wokoness" criticized the "absolute farce at the Olympic Games," arguing that Carini was "forced to box against a biological man." She surrendered after only 45 seconds, crying hysterically as her opponent was declared the winner.
This decision has reignited the debate over the concept of fair play, supported by "Fair Play for Women," whose stance is that transgender sports policies overlook the principles of fair competition, which are based on traditional rules distinguishing different categories by factors such as age, weight, and sex, among others.
Debate on Gender Inclusion in Sports
The recent incident involving Angela Carini and Imane Khelif has sparked questions and discussions around the topic of gender inclusion in sports. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why did Angela Carini withdraw from the match?
Angela Carini withdrew from the match because she was unable to continue due to severe pain from her opponent's punches, particularly a nose injury.
What is the stance of "Fair Play for Women" on this issue?
"Fair Play for Women" argues that current transgender sports policies ignore the principles of fair competition, which should be based on traditional rules that distinguish categories by factors such as age, weight, and sex.
Why was Imane Khelif previously disqualified from the Women's World Championships?
Imane Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 Women's World Championships due to high testosterone levels, which did not meet the competition's regulations.
What is the International Olympic Committee's position on Khelif's eligibility?
The International Olympic Committee recognizes that Khelif meets the requirements to compete in the women's category as a woman, based on her passport identification.