Olympics chief makes 'absolutely clear' statement about Imane Khelif row after Italian boxer abandoned fight

The Algerian athlete has been boxing on the amateur stage for several years and competed at the Tokyo Olympics, where she was defeated by Ireland's Kellie Harrington in the quarter-finals.

But her involvement in the Paris Olympics has caused controversy with misinformation and baseless accusations running wild on social media.

Khelif progressed to the quarter-finals of the 66kg event after Angela Carini abandoned the fight inside 46 seconds.

Carini twice went to her corner to fix her headgear after being punched by Khelif before conceding.

The Italian burst into tears as she knelt on the canvas as Khelif's arm was raised aloft.

The fight has caused a storm on social media with public figures such as J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk branding Khelif as a 'male' athlete.

The IBA announced on Wednesday Khelif was disqualified from last year's world championships after failing to meet 'the required necessary eligibility criteria' and she was 'found to have competitive advantages over other female competitors'.

The Russian-led organisation's eligibility rules prevent athletes with the XY chromosome from competing in women's events.

But the IOC are running the boxing competition at the Paris Games - as they did in Tokyo - and announced that Khelief met their own eligibility rules.

"They are women in their passports and it is stated that is the case," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said earlier this week.

Adams has now spoken out again over the furore online following Khelif's controversial win.

“I repeat, all the competitors comply with the eligibility rules”, Adams said.

“But what I would say is that this involves real people.”

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He added: “And, by the way, this is not a transgender issue. I should make this absolutely clear.”

The Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) announced on Wednesday that it “strongly condemns the unethical targeting and maligning of our esteemed athlete, Imane Khelif, with baseless propaganda from certain foreign media outlets.

“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.”