Italian boxer Angela Carini 'wants to apologise' to Imane Khelif with the Algerian boxer facing heavy backlash following her controversial victory on Thursday.
Carini quit her fight against Khelif after just 46 seconds having felt unable to continue.
The Italian went to her corner twice to adjust her headguard before breaking down in tears as Khelif's arm was raised aloft by the referee.
Khelif's involvement in the Olympics had already sparked outrage on social media after the IOC cleared her to fight in the women's category.
Angela Carini abandoned her match against Imane Khelif
GETTY
The Algerian was disqualified from last year's world championships in New Delhi by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after failing a 'gender eligibility test'.
The IOC felt Khelif had 'complied' with its gender regulations for the Paris Olympics, which are based on an athlete's passport.
The difference in eligibility criteria from the two governing bodies has led to confusion and anger regarding Khelif's involvement in the women's category.
Carini was in tears after the fight and refused to shake Khelif's hand in the ring.
But she's been upset by the level of vitriol her opponent has received since they stepped in the ring together.
"All this controversy makes me sad," said Carini.
"I'm sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision."
Carini also stated that refusing to shake hands with Khelif 'wasn't something I intended to do'.
Angela Carini felt unable to continue after just 46 seconds
REUTERS
She added: "Actually, I want to apologise to her and everyone else.
"I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke."
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Angela Carini fell to her knees after the fight
REUTERS
Khelif will face Luca Hamori in the quarter-finals with the winner guaranteed a medal.
But the Hungarian boxer isn't afraif of her opponent and has her eyes on a medal herself.
She said: “I’m not scared. I don’t care about the press story and social media.”
