Boxer in middle of Olympics gender storm forces distraught first opponent to quit 46 seconds into fight

By Justin Terranova | New York Post

Imane Khelif’s first fight will do nothing to calm the controversy around the boxer’s entrance into the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Khelif, who failed gender eligibility tests at the 2023 World Championships, forced her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, to withdraw from their opening-round bout in 46 seconds on Thursday.

Algeria's Imane Khelif in red gesturing to Italy's Angela Carini in a boxing ring during the 2024 Paris Olympics women's 66kg preliminaries
Algeria’s Imane Khelif (left) gestures to Italy’s Angela Carini after their fight on Aug. 1, 2024.AFP via Getty Images
Imane Khelif of Algeria in a red tank top, after her fight against Angela Carini of Italy at the 2024 Paris Olympics - Women's 66kg boxing prelims
Imane Khelif was not allowed to box in the world championships.REUTERS

A furious Carini was left in tears and retreated to her corner after getting hit twice in the face by Khelif.

She yelled at her corner as the match in the 66-kilogram division was called off.

“All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations,” the International Olympic Committee said in a statement prior to the Games.