It was one of the strong images of the Paris Olympics this summer. During the women’s boxing tournament, Angela Carini sparked a huge controversy by giving up in the -66kg round of 16 after only 46 seconds of fighting against the Algerian Imane Khelif. The Italian boxer burst into tears in the middle of the ring after her defeat while her opponent was subsequently the subject of accusations about her gender due to hyperandrogenism.
Accused of having an XY chromosome or even of being openly a man by her detractors, Imane Khelif found herself at the center of attention during the Olympic fortnight where she finally won the gold medal. Since her Olympic title, the 25-year-old boxer has become a real star in her country despite the controversy. This Monday, during an invitation from Italian television, Imane Khelif refused to criticize Angela Carini’s attitude at the Olympics. Quite the contrary.
“I know Angela Carini well and I don’t want to blame her,” Khelif insisted in an interview with Rai 3. I am angry at the people who put pressure on her. I saw a video where she apologizes, I accept them. Angela is a sister, a friend. That’s how it is in sport. I want to tell Angela that I have heard her apology and accept it from the bottom of my heart. » She concludes by addressing her former rival: “You are a friend and I wish you many successes. »
