“Unjustified Hatred”- AC Milan Star Upholds Boxer Imane Khelif As Angela Carini Apologizes Amid Gender Debate at Paris Olympics

History teaches us that victors are celebrated, and the vanquished there frowned upon. However, the internet’s response to the Olympic welterweight boxing bout between Imane Khelif and Angela Carini contradicted history. The world sided with Carini, who tearfully quit the bout in 46 seconds after receiving two punches from Khelif. Since then, false claims about Khelif being transgender spread on the web like wildfire, with big names questioning her right to be at the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee dismantled these claims and confirmed that the 25-year-old is a woman and hence eligible to participate.

Angela Carini who prematurely exited the bout and refused to shake hands with Imane Khelif, has now apologized to the latter. Among the ones who showed support for Khelif was AC Milan and Algeria NT midfielder Ismael Bennacer who was quick to speak up for the 25-year-old when false rumors tried to diminish her Olympic glory.

Bennacer sides with Imane Khelif and believes she will take Algeria high

Ismael Bennacer, who has crossed paths with the fellow Algerian, believes she is in Paris purely because of her hard work and grit. Bennacer took to X and posted a picture of him and Khelif attending a UNICEF event together. “Full support for our champion Imane Khelif, who is suffering a wave of unjustified hatred. Her presence at the Olympic Games is simply the result of her talent and hard work.” the former Arsenal star captioned his post.

Imane Khelif faced hatred after Carini’s premature and tearful departure forced the internet to question her gender. The Russia-led International Boxing Association, notably, observed that Khelif was not eligible to participate in women’s competitions after she failed a testosterone test. On the back of this, many even rumored that the 25-year-old underwent surgery to change gender and Carini fought a male athlete. But an Olympic Committee spokesperson said, “The Algerian boxer was born female, was registered female, lived her life as a female, boxed as a female, has a female passport.”

Besides, Khelif reportedly has differences in sexual development. It is a rare case involving genes and reproductive organs that can cause the sexual development of a person to be different than others. Meanwhile, the IOC’s support of Khelif was epiphanic for the Italian boxer, who immediately sided with her opponent.

What did Carini say about Khelif after the Olympic controversy?

After Thursday’s fight turned controversial, Angela Carini said Friday that she detests the uproar and regrets not shaking hands with Imane Khelif. “All this controversy makes me sad,” Carini said. “I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision,” she added. The Italian welterweight star also said she is sorry for rude post-match gestures to Khelif.

“It wasn’t something I intended to do. Actually, I want to apologize to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke,” Angela Carini added.

While Carini’s heartfelt apology is a solace, Imane Khelif has yet to weather hostile storms on and off the ring. Her opponent for tonight’s semi-final, Luca Anna Hamori said she thinks the Algerian is not fit to be in the women’s competition. Nevertheless, Hamori assured that she would give Khelif a tough fight. Fortunately, the Ismael Bennacers of the world will always be there to give Khelif a shoulder while she fights tough battles.