Following the controversy surrounding Imane Khelif at the Olympics, the Algerian Olympic Committee has slammed those who oppose her participation.
On August 1, Italian boxer Angela Carini faced Algerian boxer Imane Khelif in a highly anticipated match.
However, the bout took an unexpected turn when Carini decided to end the fight just 46 seconds in, citing safety concerns, per Sky Sports News.
Originally scheduled for four rounds, the match was cut short as Carini struggled to continue.
The 25-year-old welterweight's headgear was dislodged twice within the brief encounter with Khelif, contributing to her decision to withdraw.
As cited by LBC, Carini said: "After the second [punch] I couldn't breathe anymore. I quit to save my own life.
"I went to my coach and said 'enough' because it takes maturity and courage to stop. I didn't feel like fighting anymore."
The controversy around the fight stems from claims that Khelif had failed eligibility tests conducted by the Russia-led International Boxing Association (IBA).
Despite this, the IOC, which is overseeing the boxing events at this year's Games, cleared Khelif to compete.
The backlash has intensified, with Khelif's subsequent opponent, Anna Luca Hamori, posting derogatory comments about the Algerian boxer.
In response, the Algerian Olympic and Sports Committee lodged a formal complaint with the IOC, as cited by the Mirror.
"The Algerian Olympic and Sports Committees conclude to the knowledge of national and international public opinion, that follows the official complaint submitted today by our Olympic body to the International Olympic Committee," they said in a statement.
"Regarding the violation and serious violation of sport ethics and affecting the Olympic Charter, in the person of our champion Iman Khalif, by one of the participants in the boxing tournament for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
"The International Olympic Committee has issued a final apology to violators with an order to delete every post that concerns our heroine Iman Khalif. We reserve the right to prosecute everyone who participated in the heinous campaign against the heroine Iman Khalif. Good luck to our heroine and long live Algeria."
Khelif, who competed in the Tokyo Olympics without incident, was barred from female competition in 2023 by the IBA, a federation headquartered in Russia.
The exclusion decision, made during the IBA World Boxing Championships in New Delhi, was criticized for its lack of transparency.
Notably, Khelif had defeated a Russian opponent en route to the final.
Following the backlash, Carini apologized for the uproar caused by her post-match comments. "All this controversy makes me sad," Carini said.
"I’m sorry for my opponent, too… If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision. It wasn’t something I intended to do [ignoring the handshake].
"Actually, I want to apologize to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke. I don’t have anything against Khelif. Actually, if I were to meet her again I would embrace her."
