Paris Olympics 2024: From Elon Musk to JK Rowling, why there is so much anger over the result of a boxing match

The Paris Olympics 2024 has had its fair share of controversies, to say the least. From the alleged mocking of the Last Supper in the opening ceremony to the quality of the water in the River Seine, used for swimming events, the first post-pandemic Olympics has had some questionable moments.

Imane Khelif vs Angela Carini

However, the events until now have paled in comparison to what happened on Thursday. Imane Khelif of Algeria was declared the winner in the first round of the 66 kg category after her opponent, Italy's Angela Carini, quit in just 46 seconds.

Also read: Paris Olympics 2024: These are the biggest upsets in Olympics history

CREDIT: AP

Carini didn¡¯t shake Khelif¡¯s hand after the referee formally raised it, but she cried in the ring after sinking to her knees. Minutes afterward, a still-tearful Carini said she quit because of the pain from those opening punches.

¡°I have never been hit so hard in my life. It¡¯s up to the IOC to judge.¡±

Italy¡¯s Angela Carini after lasting just 46 seconds against Algeria¡¯s intersex athlete Imane Khelif.

Biological firestorm at Paris Olympics. pic.twitter.com/BQRTF9Dc3m

¡ª Pete Badel (@badel_cmail) August 1, 2024

Why the win was controversial

The problem is that Khelif, who was declared the winner, has failed the gender eligibility test in the past. While the 25-year-old identifies herself as female, medical examinations had stated that she has XY chromosomes, which is characteristic of a male. Citing this, the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified Khelif from competing in the finals of the World Championship last year.

CREDIT: REUTERS

IBA has no say in Olympic boxing

However, Khelif was able to qualify and compete in the Paris Olympics as the boxing events are managed by the IOC and not the IBA.

Also read: Trans Athletes Can Participate In Their Chosen Gender In Absence Of Separate Category: Kerala HC

Biological male defeats female boxer in just 46 seconds at the Paris Olympics, punching her in the head.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who has male chromosomes and previously failed a gender test, defeated Italian female boxer Angela Carini.

pic.twitter.com/7Po91O4h6U

¡ª Oli London (@OliLondonTV) August 1, 2024

Injustice to female athletes

Khelif has sparked a major storm on social media, with many sharing the video of Carini breaking down after the results. Many called it a travesty and an injustice to female athletes. Some even lamented that the Olympics is dead.

Men don't belong in women's sports #IStandWithAngelaCarini

Let's get it trending ? pic.twitter.com/ljlJJwE0hM

¡ª Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) August 1, 2024

CREDIT: AP

Meloni, Musk, Rowling join the chorus

Apart from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who claimed the fight was "not on an equal footing, and I do not agree with the IOC," other high-profile voices who criticized the Olympic organizers include Tesla CEO Elon Musk and celebrated writer JK Rowling.

The Harry Potter author appealed to Olympic authorities to ¡°end this insanity.¡±

¡°What will it take to end this insanity? A female boxer left with life-altering injuries? A female boxer killed?¡± she wrote on X.

A young female boxer has just had everything she¡¯s worked and trained for snatched away because you allowed a male to get in the ring with her. You¡¯re a disgrace, your ¡®safeguarding¡¯ is a joke and #Paris24 will be forever tarnished by the brutal injustice done to Carini. https://t.co/JMKzVljpyr

¡ª J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 1, 2024

Many female boxers have expressed their reservations about competing against biological male opponents, arguing that the latter have undue biological and genetic advantages, which can be a crucial factor in combat sports like boxing.

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