Angela Carini, the Olympic boxer who withdrew 46 seconds into her bout with Imane Khelif, will be awarded the same prize money as if she had clinched the gold medal, it has been confirmed.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) has confirmed that it will disburse $50,000 to Carini, the sum she would have pocketed had she emerged victorious and claimed the gold.
The same amount will also be given to Sitora Turdibekova of Uzbekistan, who was defeated by Lin Yu-Ting from China on Friday.
Both Yu-Ting and Khelif have been embroiled in controversy surrounding their participation in Paris, having previously been barred from competition due to failing gender tests. Both athletes were born female, and neither has transitioned or expressed any intention to do so.
Yu-Ting and Khelif’s tests, conducted prior to the 2023 World Championships, indicated high testosterone levels, resulting in their failure to meet the eligibility criteria. Consequently, both were prohibited from competing.
However, the International Olympic Committee saw no problem with their participation, and both athletes have shown remarkable performance at the Paris games thus far.
Controversy flared up on Thursday when Khelif overpowered Carini in just 46 seconds, prompting the Italian to withdraw after claiming she’d never been hit so hard.
Despite her early exit from the competition, IBA President Umar Kremlev announced that she would receive a generous payout. In a statement, Kremlev said: “I couldn’t look at her tears. I am not indifferent to such situations, and I can assure that we will protect each boxer.
“I do not understand why they kill women’s boxing. Only eligible athletes should compete in the ring for the sake of safety.” Carini initially voiced her disapproval of Khelif, refusing to shake her hand and expressing her belief that it was unjust to face an opponent who had previously been banned.
“All this controversy makes me sad,” she expressed. “I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.”
Carini further clarified: “[Not shaking hands] wasn’t something I intended to do. Actually, I want to apologise to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke.”
