Italy’s Angela Carini abandoned her Olympic bout against Algerian boxer Imane Khelif inside 46 seconds, saying: “I had to preserve my life.”
Khelif is one of two athletes who have been cleared to compete in the women’s boxing in Paris, having been disqualified from last year’s Women’s World Championships for failing to meet eligibility criteria.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) – which did not organise the World Championships but is running the boxing at Paris 2024 – said welterweight Khelif was disqualified in India because of elevated levels of testosterone.
Having received a bye in the first round at the Olympics, the 25-year-old – who also competed at the Tokyo Games – entered Arena Paris Nord on Thursday to much applause from the many Algerians in the crowd.
After taking a punch to the face inside 30 seconds, Carini went to the corner for her coach to fix her headgear but after briefly resuming, returned to her corner once more and stopped the fight.
Just before Khelif’s arm was raised by the referee, Carini could be heard on camera saying “it’s not right”.
She was in tears in the ring and as she faced the media after the bout.
“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,” 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.
“I didn’t have fear, I don’t fear the ring. I don’t fear taking the blows. But this time there’s an end for everything, and I put an end to this match, because I wasn’t able to [continue].”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told Italian media: “It matters to be able to compete on equal grounds and from my point of view it was not an even contest.”
But speaking about Khelif, Carini told reporters: “I wish her to carry on until the end and that she can be happy.
“I am someone who doesn’t judge anyone. I am not here to give judgements.”
Khelif, who has lost nine times during her 50-fight career, told BBC Sport: “I’m here for the gold – I fight everybody.”
