Paris Olympics 2024: IOC responds after boxer Carini withdraws from Khelif fight | BBC News

Summary

The Algerian boxer Iman Khelif has sparked controversy after advancing to the quarterfinals in the women's 66-kilo category, following her Italian opponent Angela Kini's quick withdrawal due to a punch she described as the hardest she'd ever taken. Khelif, previously disqualified for failing a gender eligibility test, has been cleared to compete amidst ongoing debates on inclusivity, fairness, and athlete safety. The IOC and the UK's Culture Secretary have weighed in on the issue, emphasizing the complexity of such decisions and the need for balance in sports.

Takeaways

• 🥊 Algerian boxer Iman Khelif has advanced to the quarterfinals in the women's 66-kilo category after her opponent, Italy's Angela Kini, abandoned the bout in 46 seconds.
• 😢 Angela Kini was in tears and stated that it was the hardest punch she had ever taken, claiming she stopped the fight to preserve her life.
• 🚫 Iman Khelif was one of two athletes cleared to compete in Paris despite being disqualified from the previous year's World Boxing Championships for failing a gender eligibility test.
• 🤔 The IOC spokesperson addressed the controversy, highlighting the balance between inclusivity, fairness, and safety, and the stigmatization of a woman boxer.
• 💻 There is a significant amount of online abuse and misinformation regarding the situation, which the IOC is monitoring closely.
• 🏆 The IOC emphasizes that athlete safety is their primary concern and that safeguards, especially in combat sports like boxing, are in place to ensure this.
• 📢 The BBC interviewed Culture Secretary Leisa Andy, who expressed discomfort with the match and acknowledged the complexity of decisions regarding inclusion and fairness in sports.
• 🤝 Secretary Andy plans to engage with sporting bodies to ensure they have the right guidance and support to make balanced decisions.
• 🗣️ The IOC spokesperson was asked for a response to Andy's comments but refrained from directly commenting on her views, focusing instead on the brevity of the match.
• 🏅 The match has sparked discussions about the balance between inclusion, fairness, and safety in sports, particularly in combat disciplines like boxing.
• 🔍 The situation has highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of biological complexities in sports, beyond what is presented on social media and speculation.

Q & A

What is the controversy surrounding the Algerian boxer Iman Khelif?

Iman Khelif has been involved in a growing controversy due to her advancement to the quarterfinals of the women's 66-kilo category after her opponent, Angela Kini, abandoned the bout in 46 seconds, claiming it was the hardest punch she had ever taken and that she stopped the fight to preserve her life.

Why was Angela Kini in tears after the match with Iman Khelif?

Angela Kini was in tears because she felt she had taken an extremely hard punch to the face and believed that continuing the fight would have been a risk to her life.

What is the background of Iman Khelif's participation in the competition?

Iman Khelif is one of two athletes who was cleared to compete in Paris despite being disqualified from last year's World Boxing championships for failing to pass a gender eligibility test.

What has the IOC spokesperson said about the situation involving Iman Khelif?

The IOC spokesperson acknowledged the seriousness of the case and the amount of online abuse and misinformation. They emphasized the IOC's commitment to balance inclusivity, fairness, and safety, and noted that the situation with Khelif is separate from the broader issue of athlete safety.

How did the IOC spokesperson describe the balance the IOC is trying to achieve?

The IOC spokesperson described the balance as one between inclusivity and fairness, with a broader consideration of safety, which they acknowledged is a difficult task.

What was the BBC's discussion with the culture secretary Leisa Andy about?

The BBC discussed the controversial boxing match between Italy and Algeria, where Angela Kini stopped the match to preserve her life, and the subsequent comments by Italy's PM Georgia Maloney about it not being an even contest.

What was Leisa Andy's response to the controversy?

Leisa Andy found the match uncomfortable to watch and expressed concern about the balance between inclusion, fairness, and safety in women's sports. She mentioned that the government has a role in providing guidance and support for sporting bodies to make complex decisions correctly.

What does Leisa Andy plan to do in response to the situation?

Leisa Andy plans to talk to sporting bodies over the coming weeks and months to ensure they have the correct guidance, framework, and support to make decisions regarding inclusion, fairness, and safety.

How did the IOC spokesperson respond to Leisa Andy's comments?

The IOC spokesperson stated that their personal views on the matter were not relevant and that they could not comment on how Leisa Andy should feel. They described the match as a qualifying one between two women boxers and noted that it was over too quickly.

What is the main concern expressed by the IOC spokesperson regarding the athletes?

The main concern expressed by the IOC spokesperson is the safety of the athletes, emphasizing that they are at the center of all considerations and that safeguards, especially in combat sports like boxing, are crucial to ensure their well-being.

What is the broader issue being discussed in the script related to sports and gender?

The broader issue discussed is the challenge of achieving a balance between inclusion and fairness in sports, especially in the context of gender eligibility and the safety of female athletes.

Outlines

00:00

🥊 Controversial End to Women's Boxing Match

The script discusses a contentious boxing match in the women's 66-kilo category where Algerian boxer Iman Khelif advanced to the quarterfinals after her Italian opponent, Angela Kini, stopped the fight 46 seconds in, claiming it was to preserve her life. The incident has sparked controversy, especially considering Khelif's history of failing a gender eligibility test at the World Boxing championships. The IOC spokesperson addresses the situation, emphasizing the balance between inclusivity, fairness, and safety, and the need to protect athletes. The script also includes comments from the culture secretary, Leisa Andy, who acknowledges the complexity of the issue and the need for proper guidance and support for sporting bodies.

Keywords

💡Controversy

Controversy refers to a situation that is the subject of prolonged public dispute or debate, typically involving opposing arguments. In the context of the video, the controversy revolves around the Algerian boxer Iman Khelif and her opponent's decision to stop the fight, raising questions about fairness and safety in competitive sports.

💡Quarterfinals

Quarterfinals are the stage of a competition that determines the final four participants. In the script, Iman Khelif advances to the quarterfinals of the women's 66-kilo category after her opponent withdraws, highlighting the significance of the match in the progression of the tournament.

💡Gender Eligibility Test

A gender eligibility test is a medical examination or set of criteria used to determine if an athlete meets the requirements to compete in a gender-specific category. The script mentions that Khelif was previously disqualified from a competition for failing such a test, which is central to the ongoing debate about her participation.

💡Inclusivity

Inclusivity is the practice of including people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, ensuring diversity and equal opportunity. The IOC spokesperson discusses the balance between inclusivity and fairness in sports, which is a key theme in the debate over Khelif's participation.

💡Fairness

Fairness refers to the quality of being impartial and just. In the video, the concept of fairness is challenged by the situation of an athlete who has been cleared to compete despite previous disqualification, raising questions about equal opportunities for all participants.

💡Safety

Safety is the state of being protected from harm or other non-desirable outcomes. The script emphasizes the IOC's concern for the safety of athletes, particularly in combat sports like boxing, where physical harm is a significant risk.

💡Stigmatization

Stigmatization is the process of marking someone as disgraceful or undesirable based on a perceived characteristic or behavior. The video discusses the stigmatization of a female boxer, suggesting that she may have been unfairly treated or judged.

💡IOC (International Olympic Committee)

The International Olympic Committee is the governing body of the Olympic Movement, responsible for organizing the Olympic Games and setting related policies. In the script, an IOC spokesperson addresses the controversy, indicating the committee's role in overseeing and responding to such issues.

💡Misinformation

Misinformation is false or inaccurate information that is spread, regardless of whether there is an intent to deceive. The script mentions 'misinformed abuse' online, referring to the spread of incorrect information about the situation, which contributes to the controversy.

💡Biological Facts

Biological facts refer to the objective, scientifically established truths about living organisms. The culture secretary in the script mentions that the biological facts of the case are more complex than what is presented on social media, indicating the need for a deeper understanding of the situation.

💡Sporting Bodies

Sporting bodies are organizations that govern and regulate sports at various levels, from local clubs to international federations. The script discusses the role of sporting bodies in making complex decisions about athlete participation, emphasizing their responsibility in balancing inclusion, fairness, and safety.

Highlights

Algerian boxer Iman Khelif advances to the quarterfinals in the women's 66 kilo category after Italian opponent Angela Kini abandons the bout in 46 seconds.

Kini took just one punch to the face and was heard saying 'it's not right' before stopping the fight.

Kini was in tears, saying it was the hardest punch she had ever taken, and she stopped the fight to preserve her life.

Khelif was one of two athletes cleared to compete in Paris despite failing a gender eligibility test at last year's World Boxing championships.

IOC spokesperson acknowledges the serious case and the online abuse and misinformation surrounding it.

IOC is trying to balance inclusivity, fairness, safety, and stigmatization issues in this situation.

IOC emphasizes athlete safety as the top concern and the need for safeguards in combat sports like boxing.

BBC interviews Culture Secretary Leisa Andy about the controversial boxing match.

Andy finds the match uncomfortable and expresses concern about balancing inclusion, fairness, and safety in women's sports.

Andy acknowledges the complexity of biological factors in such cases, beyond social media speculation.

Andy plans to engage with sporting bodies to ensure they have the right guidance and support to make balanced decisions.

IOC spokesperson responds to Andy's comments, stating the match was short and unfortunate for all involved.

The controversy raises questions about fairness and safety in women's boxing and the role of governing bodies.

The incident sparks discussions on the need for clear guidelines and frameworks for handling such complex cases in sports.

The match outcome and reactions highlight the ongoing debate on gender eligibility and inclusivity in sports.

The situation brings attention to the challenges of balancing individual rights and the integrity of women's sports.

Transcripts

another story that we've been covering

is the growing controversy over the

Algerian boxer Iman khif she is through

to the quarterfinals of the women's 66

kilo category after her opponent Italy's

Angela Kini abandoned the bout in 46

seconds she took just one punch to the

face and then walked to her corner where

she was heard saying it's not right the

Italian boxer was in tears after the

match she told reporters it was the

hardest punch she'd ever taken and that

she had stopped the fight to Pres

deserve her life or khif is one of two

athletes who was cleared to compete in

Paris despite being disqualified from

last year's World Boxing championships

for failing to pass a gender eligibility

test well in the past hour a

spokesperson for the ioc has been

speaking about the

situation it's quite a serious case

there's an awful lot of abuse going on

uh online an awful lot of misinformed

abuse going on online and yes we are in

very close contact uh with with the

athletes and their entourages but the

ioc I think is always trying to do a

balance between uh inclusivity and

fairness to put it more broadly also

safety uh and that is that that is a

difficult one and something that we will

will'll have to look at but I that

that's a entirely separate question to

what's going on here which is a woman

woman boxer uh being stigmatized and and

forced out of a potentially forced out

of a comp competition I think that's a

that's a different issue uh but in

general uh in terms of of of safety

safety of the athletes we're never tired

of saying is our number one concern the

athletes at the center so obviously we

need to look after them we need to make

sure that they're safe uh and there are

all sorts of safeguards particularly in

the Combat Sports particularly in boxing

to make sure that that remains the case

well the BBC has been speaking to the

culture secretary Leisa Andy about this

issue as well here's what she had to say

and I want to get your thoughts on the

boxing match yesterday between Italy and

Algeria it's being build as very

controversial over in 46 seconds Angela

Kini said she had to preserve her life

that's why she stopped the match and

Italians PM Georgia Maloney said it

wasn't an even contest what do you think

about that well it was an incredibly

uncomfortable watch for the 46 seconds

that it lasted and I know that there's a

lot of concern about women competitors

about whether we're getting the balance

right in uh not just boxing but other

sports as well the the decision that

successive governments have made is that

these are complex decisions that should

be made by supporting bodies in this

case for example I understand that the

biological facts are far more

complicated than it's being presented on

social media and in some of the

speculation but I think as sporting

bodies try to get that balance between

inclusion fairness and safety there is a

role for government to make sure that

they've got the guidance and the

framework and the support to make those

decisions correctly and it's something

that I'll be talking to sporting B IES

about over the coming weeks and months

the IC spokesperson was asked for their

response to Lisa nandz comments and

here's what they had to

say My Views are neither here nor there

I watched it um for professional reasons

I watched it um and as for Lisa nand's

um comments again I can't comment on how

she feels or how how she should feel uh

to my mind it was uh a qualifying match

uh about in in in boxing between two

women boxers um if you want my actual

personal view um yeah it it it was it

was very short so I didn't there wasn't

very much uh for me to really kind of

start to to to follow but it was over it

was over far too quickly for everyone

concerned I think unfortunately