What did Donald Trump say about controversial boxing match between Imane Khelif and Angela Carini at Paris Olympics? All about the American's views

By Riddhi Acharya

Modified Aug 02, 2024 17:32 GMT

The boxing bout between Imane Khelif and Angel Carini drew plenty of criticism at the Paris Olympics, with many famous personalities joining in the discussion to share their opinion. Most recently, former American President Donald Trump gave his two cents about the ongoing debate with a bold statement.

Khelif is one of two boxers whose inclusion at the Games has led to major controversy, stemming from the fact that the Algerian has previously failed a ‘gender eligibility test'. Back at the 2023 World Championships, Khelif alongside Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-ting were disqualified from the competition, with the International Boxing Association (IBA) saying that the disqualification was ‘a result of their failure to meet the eligibility criteria for participating in the women’s competition’.

However, the boxing events at the Games are not governed by the IBA, and the International Olympic Committee allowed both Khelif and Yu-ting to compete in Paris. Post this, the Algerian boxer sailed through her first round in just 46 seconds, with her opponent, Italy's Angela Carini, pulling out after suffering a heavy blow to the nose.

Many people across various social media platforms gathered to criticize Imane Khelif's participation at the 2024 Olympics. Donald Trump posted a video of the boxer's match against Carini on Truth Social, writing:

“I WILL KEEP MEN OUT OF WOMEN'S SPORTS.”

It is important to note that Khelif has never identified herself as a transgender person or intersex.

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Imane Khelif’s next opponent speaks out on facing the Algerian

While social media may be in uproar about Imane Khelif's participation at the Olympics, her quarterfinal opponent, Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori told Reuters she isn't paying attention to the media narrative surrounding the Algerian and is focused only on walking out of the ring with a win. She said (via Reuters):

"We didn't spar or fight before. I don't care about the stories or what is going on on social media right now, I just want to stay focused on myself.

"I came here to get a medal from the Olympic Games. I don't care about anything. I will go to the ring and I will get my win. I trust my coaches and I trust myself. I'm not scared. Like I said, I don't care about the story and social media."

Khelif and Hamori are scheduled to clash at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, August 3 at 17:22 pm local time. On her way to the quarters, the Hungarian had taken down Grainne Walsh and Marisa Williamson.