Imane Khelif Controversy: Italian boxer Angela Carini wants to apologise to her Algerian opponent

Italian boxer Angela Carini speaks on the controversial bout with Imane Khelif.

Following a highly controversial end to their Olympic boxing match, Italian boxer Angela Carini has expressed a desire to apologise to her Algerian opponent, Imane Khelif. The bout, which lasted only 46 seconds, concluded abruptly when Carini withdrew, citing that a punch from Khelif had “hurt too much” for her to continue.

The sudden end of the match has sparked considerable debate within the sports community. In an interview with the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Carini conveyed her regret about the situation, stating, “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 boxer admitted that, while she believed stopping the fight was a mature decision, she also felt remorse for not following traditional sportsmanship by shaking Khelif’s hand after the bout. "It wasn't something I intended to do," Carini remarked. “Actually, I want to apologise to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke.”

Carini explained the emotional strain she experienced, noting that if she had another chance to face Khelif, she would “embrace her” as a gesture of reconciliation. The incident unfolded rapidly; after taking a punch to the face within the first 30 seconds, Carini went to her corner for a headgear adjustment. Although she briefly resumed fighting, she soon retreated to her corner once more and ultimately decided to end 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 controversy surrounding the match has been intensified by discussions about Khelif’s eligibility. Khelif, one of two athletes cleared to compete in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics despite her disqualification from last year’s Women’s World Championships, has faced scrutiny over her eligibility status as determined by the Russia-led International Boxing Association (IBA).

However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has defended Khelif’s right to compete. IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated on Friday, “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 both her resilience and the IOC's commitment to inclusivity in sports.