Opponent of boxer who 'failed gender test' will receive Olympic prize money from boxing officials
Topics: Olympics, Sport, Imane Khelif
Lucy Devine
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Fabrizio Bozzani/Anadolu/Richard Pelham
Topics: Olympics, Sport, Imane Khelif
The Italian boxer, who withdrew from a fight against Imane Khelif earlier this week, is set to receive Olympic champion prize money.
The fight between Khelif and Angela Carini had barely started when Carini abandoned the match after just 46 seconds.
In tears, Carini refused to shake Khelif's hand at the end of the fight, explaining later that a punch 'hurt too much' and that she had left 'with her head held high'.
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The match has since caused a huge amount of controversy online, after it emerged that Khelif was disqualified from the boxing world championships in 2023 after she failed a gender eligibility test due to what the International Boxing Association claimed were elevated levels of testosterone.
Reuters reported that Khelif failed due to the IBA eligibility rules preventing athletes with XY chromosomes from competing in women’s events.
However, the International Olympic Committee has assured that Khelif is eligible to take part in the Olympics. The boxer has always competed in the women's division for her sport and is recognized by the IOC as a female athlete.
"Everyone competing in the women's category is complying with the competition eligibility rules," IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said.
"They are women in their passports, and it's stated that this is the case that they are female."
Following the fight, the IBA - who banned Khelif from the world championships - have said they will pay Carini $50,000.
"I couldn't look at her tears," said IBA president Umar Kremlev.
"I am not indifferent to such situations, and I can assure that we will protect each boxer.
"I do not understand why they kill women's boxing. Only eligible athletes should compete in the ring for the sake of safety."
Earlier this year, the IBA said it would award all Olympic champions prize money to support their careers.
Gold medallists will receive $100,000, with $50,000 awarded to the athlete, $25,000 to their National Federation and $25,000 to their coach.
Meanwhile, silver medallists will have a share of $50,000 and $25,000 for bronze.
Carini later told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport that the huge 'controversy' around what happened made her 'sad'.
"I'm sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision," she said.
"It wasn't something I intended to do.
"Actually, I want to apologize to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke."
If she meets Khelif again, Carini said she would 'embrace her'.