Boxer Imane Khelif caused a stir at the 2024 Paris Olympics, not just because she flunked her gender eligibility tests from last year, but also because she made her opponent, Angela Carini, call it quits mere seconds into their match. Talk about a knockout first impression!
Imane, 25, has some XY chromosomes—those are usually found in dudes—and her testosterone levels are higher than a cat on a hot tin roof. But despite flunking her eligibility test, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to let her fight because, hey, rules are rules, right?
Before the games kicked off, the IOC proudly declared, “All athletes in the boxing tournament are following the rules and medical regulations.” In other words, “We’ve checked the passports, and they all say ‘female,’ so let’s roll with it!”
Mark Adams, IOC spokesman, chimed in, “Everyone competing in the women’s category is adhering to the eligibility rules… They are women in their passports. That’s good enough for us!” So, Imane got to punch her way into the spotlight.
In the ring on August 1, Angela Carini tapped out just 46 seconds into their fight. After a couple of Imane’s punches turned her face into a Picasso painting, Angela was in tears, clutching her nose and saying, “I’ve never felt pain like this. I can’t continue. I’m not saying it’s illegal; I’m just saying it’s impossible!”
Angela told BBC Sports, “I wasn’t able to finish the match. My nose was throbbing like a drum, and I figured, ‘For the sake of my pride, my nation, and my dad, I better call it quits before I end up looking like a human dartboard.’”
Her Italian fans had warned her about fighting Imane, with her coach Emanuel Rezini shouting, “It’s a man!” He was not thrilled with their “unjust” bout. Despite Angela’s early exit, Imane was all fired up, saying, “I’m here for the gold—bring on everyone!”
‘Someone with a DSD cannot help the way they were born but they can choose not to cheat; they can choose not to take medals from women; they can choose not to cause injury.’ ✍️ @suzanne_moore https://t.co/p6Qdb4lXcx
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 1, 2024