Italian boxer Angela Carini issued an apology on Friday for her behavior towards Algerian boxer Imane Khelif following their women's 66kg weight class bout at the Paris Olympics. Carini faced backlash after quitting the contest just 46 seconds into the fight and failing to shake Khelif's hand afterwards.
The online criticism escalated with transphobic remarks wrongly labeling Khelif as 'a man' due to perceived physical advantages. In response to the controversy, Carini expressed remorse in an interview with Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, stating, 'I'm sorry for my opponent. If the IOC has allowed her to compete, I respect that decision.'
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stood by Khelif's right to participate in the competition, emphasizing inclusivity and fairness in sports. Carini acknowledged her mistake of not shaking hands with Khelif and pledged to show sportsmanship if they were to meet again, saying, 'It wasn't my intention. I want to apologize to her and everyone else. I was upset because my Olympic dreams were shattered.'
Khelif, undeterred by the incident, is set to return to the ring for a quarterfinal match on Saturday, focusing on her athletic performance despite the surrounding controversy.
