Imane Khelif's opponent explains why she withdrew from controversial boxing fight at the Olympics
Imane Khelif beat Angela Carini in the Olympics on Thursday
REUTERS
Angela Carini, who fought Imane Khelif in the boxing at the Olympics on Thursday, has now explained her decision to withdraw from the fight.
Khelif is a controversial figure at the games in Paris having previously failed a gender eligibility test at the World Boxing Championships last year.
The 25-year-old has been allowed to compete at the Olympics, however, despite a strong backlash.
On Thursday, Carini opted to abandon her fight with the Algeria star after enduring two big blows in the early stages of the bout.
Imane Khelif beat Angela Carini in the Olympics on Thursday
REUTERS
Carini, according to reports, shouted 'this is unjust' and cried in the ring following her defeat.
And the Italy star, speaking to Italian news agency ANSA, has now opened up on why she quit.
"I went into the ring to fight," said Carini. "I didn't give up but a punch hurt too much so I said enough.
"I'm leaving with my head held high."
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Carini also insisted that everything said and written about Khelif before the showdown had no impact on her decision.
"I am nobody to judge and I have nothing against my opponent. I had a task and I carried it out even if she didn't make it," she told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Everything that happened before the match had absolutely no influence."
Khelif's disqualification from the World Boxing Championships last year has sparked a backlash surrounding her involvement at the games this summer.
The Algerian Olympic Committee released a statement at the time saying the disqualification was part of a 'conspiracy' to stop them winning gold.
They also said 'medical reasons' were behind the athlete's high testosterone levels.
The COA also released a statement on Wednesday condemning the 'baseless' attacks on their star.
"COA strongly condemns the unethical targeting and maligning of our esteemed athlete, Imane Khelif, with baseless propaganda from certain foreign media outlets," they said.
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Imane Khelif was too strong for Angela Carini in their Olympics clash on Thursday
REUTERS
"Such attacks on her personality and dignity are deeply unfair, especially as she prepares for the pinnacle of her career at the Olympics.
"The COA has taken all necessary measures to protect our champion."
The International Boxing Association, however, expressed concerns about Khelief prior to the showdown with Carini taking place.
Imane Khelif is arguably the most controversial athlete at the Paris Olympics
REUTERS
"The IOC's differing regulations on these matters, in which IBA is not involved, raise serious questions about both competitive fairness and athletes’ safety," they said.
It is currently unclear who Khelif will face off against in the quarter-finals of the Olympics.
That clash is set to go ahead on Saturday.
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