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Algeria's Imane Khelif, right, after defeating Italy's Angela Carini in their women's 66kg (145.5lb) preliminary boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France [AP Photo/John Locher]

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif's rapid 46-second victory at the Paris Olympics has sparked a contentious debate over gender eligibility regulations. The fight garnered attention when her opponent, Italian boxer Angela Carini, withdrew from the bout abruptly, a rare occurrence in Olympic boxing history.

Carini, who ended the match by retreating to her corner, did not engage with Khelif post-fight and was visibly distressed. She explained her decision to withdraw due to severe pain from initial punches, stating, "I felt a severe pain in my nose and, with the maturity of a boxer, decided to quit because I couldn't continue."

Khelif's participation in the Paris Games is especially controversial given her previous disqualification from the 2023 World Championships due to an unspecified gender eligibility test. This incident has polarized opinions, with notable figures weighing in on the matter.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif’s 46-second win at the Paris Olympics on August 1, 2024, sparked a furious row about gender eligibility rules [John Locher/AP]

Author J.K. Rowling criticized Khelif, labeling her as a “male” and accusing her of deriving satisfaction from causing distress to a female opponent. Rowling's comments have reignited discussions about biological sex and gender identity, areas where she has faced significant backlash.

U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump and his vice-presidential nominee, J.D. Vance, also entered the fray, with Trump pledging to keep men out of women’s sports and Vance attributing the situation to “Kamala Harris’s ideas about gender.”

UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem condemned the exposure of female athletes like Carini to what she described as physical and psychological violence. In response, Algeria’s Olympic Committee condemned the “malicious and unethical attacks” on Khelif and voiced support for the athlete.

British politician Nadia Whittome highlighted that Khelif, assigned female at birth, had previously faced obstacles in pursuing boxing due to gender biases. Whittome argued that the criticisms against Khelif reveal broader issues of transphobia and resistance to non-traditional expressions of femininity.

In addition to Khelif, Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting has faced similar scrutiny. Despite winning the IBA World Championships in 2018 and 2022, Lin had her bronze medal withdrawn last year due to failed eligibility tests. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that both Khelif and Lin meet the eligibility requirements for the Paris Games, emphasizing that athlete gender and age are verified through passports.

Taiwan President William Lai Ching-te publicly supported Lin, calling for unity and encouragement for the athlete. Meanwhile, Carini received support from Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who reassured Carini that future success would come with persistence and effort.

Khelif, cheered by the Algerian community in Paris, remains focused on her Olympic goals. Reflecting on her victory, she stated, “Winning in such a prestigious event is fulfilling, but my focus is on achieving a medal.”

This ongoing debate highlights the complex intersections of gender, sport, and international competition, reflecting broader discussions about fairness and inclusion in athletics.