The highly contentious Olympic boxing match between Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Italy’s Angela Carini ended abruptly after just 46 seconds due to Carini’s suspected broken nose. Khelif, previously banned for failing testosterone tests, was allowed to compete, raising questions about her sex classification and fairness in women’s sports.
Men generally possess greater muscle mass, bone density, and higher testosterone levels, resulting in superior strength and endurance. These physiological advantages make mixed-gender matches inherently unfair, posing significant safety risks for female athletes.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni emphasized the importance of protecting female athletes’ rights to compete on equal terms, advocating against the inclusion of athletes with male genetic characteristics in women’s competitions.
During the brief match, Khelif’s dominance was evident, landing powerful punches that forced Carini to withdraw. The IOC faces pressure to address the fairness and safety concerns surrounding such matches.
