Female Boxer Breaks Down in Tears After Forfeiting in 46 Seconds Against 'XY Yeomsaekcho' Opponent [Paris Olympics]

Before the Game Starts, Even Italian Politics Intervene to Raise Objections
IOC States No Issues with All Players Participating Despite Controversy

In the women's boxing event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, a match between an 'XX chromosome' athlete and an 'XY chromosome' athlete ended in a forfeit loss just 46 seconds after the start. As footage of the forfeiting athlete collapsing and crying in the ring spread, controversy arose not only over 'gender fairness' but also over 'safety.'

Karini refused to shake hands with Kellyp and left the ring crying. He tearfully pleaded, "I have always been loyal to my country, but this time I had to forfeit the match because I could no longer fight. The pain in my nose was too severe, and I couldn't continue."
[Photo by EPA·Yonhap News]

On the 1st (local time), Angela Carini (25, Italy) lost by decision to Imane Khelif (26, Algeria), who has XY chromosomes, in the women's 66kg round of 16 boxing match held at the North Arena in Paris, France during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Immediately after the match began, Carini was struck in the face by Khelif's punch, receiving such a strong impact that her headgear was knocked off. Within 30 seconds, she returned to her corner in the ring to fix her headgear. However, she soon began to cry and declared a forfeit, ending the match with a 0-0 decision victory for Khelif.

Carini refused to shake hands with Khelif and left the ring in tears. She appealed, "I have always been loyal to my country, but this time I could no longer fight, so I gave up the match. The pain in my nose was too severe to continue." The Associated Press reported that "this is an extremely rare occurrence in Olympic boxing. It appears Carini's headgear came off twice before she quit."

In the women's boxing event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, an 'XX chromosome' athlete faced off against an 'XY chromosome' athlete, resulting in a forfeit loss just 46 seconds into the match. As the forfeiting athlete collapsed on the ring and broke down in tears, scenes of this spread, sparking controversy not only over 'gender fairness' but also 'safety.'
[Photo by EPA·Yonhap News]

Among the female boxing athletes participating in this Olympics, Khelif and Lin Yuting (28, Taiwan) were disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) at last year's World Championships. At that time, IBA President Umar Kremlev stated that Khelif and Lin Yuting possessed 'XY chromosomes,' which generally indicate male sex. Both athletes failed the testosterone level test and were thus barred from participating in women's boxing events.

However, due to issues such as judging corruption and internal misconduct, the IBA was stripped of its authority to oversee Olympic boxing events by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). IOC spokesperson Mark Adams also confirmed that there was no problem with the two athletes participating in women's boxing events, citing that gender cannot be determined solely by chromosomes. Consequently, the match proceeded as scheduled.

Prior to this match, Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni raised concerns about Carini's safety and fair competition. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated, "I believe that athletes with male genetic characteristics participating in women's competitions is not fair competition," adding, "This is not about wanting to discriminate against anyone, but about protecting the right of female athletes to compete under equal conditions." The Italian national team shared a photo of Carini with an X and wrote, "We are all with you." Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also pointed out, "This is truly a scene that directly contradicts the Olympic spirit."