Controversial Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif has advanced to the quarter-finals of the women’s Boxing Olympic 66kg category after opponent Angela Carini withdrew from the clash just 46 seconds after it started. The match between the duo has sparked controversy as Khelif had failed a gender test last year.
Khelif has been mysteriously allowed to compete in the women's boxing event of the Paris Olympics, having been disqualified from 2023's Women's World Championships for not fulfilling the eligibility criteria. It had emerged from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the 25-year-old had elevated levels of Testosterone.
A video of Carini has surfaced as he broke in tears.
Meanwhile, Carini copped a punch within 30 seconds of the game and went to the corner to get her head gear fixed. The Italian boxer briefly resumed before returning to her corner again and stopped the fight thereafter.
Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting had been stripped off bronze after failing a gender eligibility test:
It's worth noting that Taiwan's Lin Yu-Ting had their bronze medal taken away after failing a gender eligibility test in last year's World Championships.
The IOC had already issued a statement that "comply with the competition's eligibility and entry regulations". The BBC had reached out to the Olympic committee and the IOC Paris 2024 Boxing unit for a comment, but it seems they are yet to respond.
Meanwhile, here's how the netizens have reacted to the controversy:
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