Imane Khelif’s next opponent has made it clear she has no interest in the controversy surrounding the Olympics star.
The Algerian boxer beat Angela Carini on Thursday, with the Italian withdrawing after just 46 seconds in the ring.
Khelif previously failed a gender eligibility test at the World Boxing Championships last year due to having high levels of testosterone.
She has been allowed to compete in the Olympics, however, with the IOC insisting she doesn’t have an unfair advantage.
Imane Khelif is in the spotlight with the Olympics currently embroiled in controversy after her boxing win
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Khelif is set to return to the ring on Saturday, with the 25-year-old due to face Hungarian Anna Luca Hamori in the next round.
But Hamori, speaking to the New York Post, has no interest in the controversy surrounding her opponent.
“I’m not scared. I don’t care about the press story and social media,” she said, per the New York Post.
Carini opted to quit the fight on Thursday after being on the receiving end of two powerful punches. She was visibly upset in the ring and in post-fight interviews, too.
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Carini says she was forced to withdraw due to pain in her nose.
The 25-year-old stated: “I put an end to the match because after the second blow, after years of experience in the ring and a life of fighting, I felt a strong pain in my nose.
“I said ‘that’s enough’ because… I could not bring the match to an end. So I thought, maybe it’s better to put an end to the match.”
Meanwhile, the IOC released a statement on Thursday doubling down on their decision to let Khelif compete.
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Imane Khelif’s win over Angela Carini at the Olympics has sparked a huge backlash
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“Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination,” it said.
“All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU).”
Imane Khelif’s next opponent, Anna Luca Hamori, has no interest in the controversy surrounding the Olympics star
REUTERS
The statement added: “The IOC is committed to protecting the human rights of all athletes participating in the Olympic Games as per the Olympic Charter, the IOC Code of Ethics and the IOC Strategic Framework on Human Rights.
“The IOC is saddened by the abuse that the two athletes are currently receiving.”