A major controversy erupted at the Paris 2024 Olympics when Italian boxer Angela Carini abandoned her match against Algeria’s Imane Khelif just 46 seconds in, citing safety concerns after a strong punch. Khelif had previously failed a gender eligibility test due to high testosterone levels, raising questions about her participation.
Despite being disqualified from the 2023 World Championships, Khelif was allowed to compete in the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) defended this decision, stating that Khelif’s “female” designation on her passport made her eligible under existing rules.
This incident has reignited debates over whether athletes with Differences of Sexual Development (DSD) should compete in women’s events, a topic that continues to be highly controversial in sports.
