Boxers who failed gender tests at world championships cleared to compete at Olympics
GuardianJul 25
Olympics: Italian Boxer Quits Against Opponent Who Failed Gender Test
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Above: Imane Khelif looks as Angela Carini (R) leaves the ring after abandoning their Women's 66kg preliminary round match at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at North Paris Arena on Aug. 1, 2024, in Paris. Image copyright: Richard Pelham/ Stringer/Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
The Facts
Italian boxer Angela Carini abandoned her Olympic bout after 46 seconds on Thursday, allegedly due to severe pain in her nose from two punches by Algeria's Imane Khelif. A tearful Carini could be heard telling "Non è giusto" ("It's not fair") to her corner.
Previously, Rome had expressed concerns over rules that allowed her opponent to compete in Paris despite failing the International Boxing Association's (IBA) gender-eligibility tests and being disqualified from the 2023 World Boxing Championships.
The Spin
Right narrative
Originally meant to be a celebration of excellence, the Olympics have turned into a horror show as non-biological women have been allowed to fight biological women. This case may inevitably be a bit more complicated than those of transgender athletes, but Khelif must be banned due to an unfair advantage that risks the safety of her opponents.
Left narrative
Anti-trans activists were quick to attack Khelif, a cisgender woman taking part in the women's welterweight boxing competition at the Paris Olympics, paying little attention to the fact that she had competed at Tokyo 2020 without any commotion. Yes, she has a genetic advantage over her rivals — just like most world-class athletes.
