Italy’s Angela Carini says she wants to "apologize" to Algeria’s Imane Khelif after the 46 seconds they spent in the Olympics ring together.
As you've no doubt seen, 25-year-old Carini brought the match in question to an early close on Thursday, thus adding another layer to the larger debate surrounding rules and eligibility for the sport. In recent days, for example, the Algeria Olympic Committee issued a statement in defense of what they characterized as "deeply unfair" attacks on Khelif's "personality and dignity."
Speaking with the Gazzetta dello Sport, an Italian newspaper, Carini pointed to a "powerful punch" from her opponent as having inspired her decision to end the match.
"All this controversy makes me sad," Carini was quoted as saying, per a report from the Associated Press. "I’m sorry for my opponent, too. … If the [International Olympic Committee] said she can fight, I respect that decision."
In a statement released Thursday, the IOC reiterated its stance that "every person has the right to practice sport without discrimination," adding that all Paris boxers were in compliance with entry regulations.
As for any apology, Carini is reported to have expressed regret over how she handled the immediate post-fight moments, namely her decision not to shake Khelif’s hand.
"It wasn’t something I intended to do," she was quoted as saying, again per the AP. "Actually, I want to apologize to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke. I don’t have anything against Khelif. Actually, if I were to meet her again I would embrace her."
Khelif's Olympics presence has spurred no shortage of openly hateful rhetoric, all while misinformation has flourished on social media. In its aforementioned statement, the IOC pointed to "misleading information" as having abounded in recent days. The IOC also highlighted "baseless propaganda" that had spread amid Olympics coverage.
Both Logan Paul and J.K. Rowling, notably, were criticized for their public remarks about Khelif. Later, Paul conceded that he "might be guilty of spreading misinformation."