A boxer who previously failed gender eligibility tests has been allowed to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics under the women’s events due to rule changes that took place before the summer games began.

Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif Wins Against Angela Carini After Just 46 Seconds

Imane Khelif, from Algeria, is representing her home nation in the 2024 Games, competing in the women’s 66kg category.

She advanced directly to the quarter-finals after her round of 16 opponent, Italy’s Angela Carini, abandoned the fight after just 46 seconds, having been punched twice in the face. Carini raised her hand, had her head guard checked, and returned to fight. But one punch later, she walked out of the ring.

Khelif in her fight against Carini. Credit: Richard Pelham/Getty

Khelif attempted to give her opponent a hug, which was not reciprocated. The 25-year-old Khelif has sparked controversy in the boxing community by competing in the Paris Olympics despite previously being banned from women’s events.

Last year, Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi shortly before competing in the gold medal bout against China’s Yang Liu.

This was after she failed a gender eligibility test for the women’s division. According to International Boxing Association (IBA) president Umar Kremlev, a DNA test showed Khelif had XY chromosomes.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated the disqualification was due to elevated testosterone levels.

Imane Khelif. Credit: Anadolu/Getty

“Based on the results of DNA tests, we identified several athletes who tried to deceive their colleagues and pretended to be women,” Kremlev said at the time, via NBC.

“Based on the results of the tests, it was proven that they have XY chromosomes. Such athletes were excluded from the competition.”

Khelif has never identified as a man, transgender, or intersex. However, the IBA does not oversee Olympic events; that responsibility lies with the IOC, which has repeatedly affirmed Khelif’s eligibility to compete in women’s boxing events.

A statement this week said via BBC News: “All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations.”

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated that “everyone competing in the women’s category is participating, following, complying with the competition eligibility rules,” via Time.

He added: “These athletes have competed many times before for many years; they haven’t just suddenly arrived.”

After withdrawing from her fight against Khelif, Carini commented: “I went into the ring to fight. I didn’t give up, but a punch hurt too much, and I said enough. I’m leaving with my head held high.”