Emotional Apology: Angela Carini Speaks Out After Olympic Bout Controversy

Angela Carini vs. Imane Khelif

Italian boxer Angela Carini, who made headlines for abandoning her Olympic bout against Algeria's Imane Khelif just 46 seconds into the fight, has expressed regret and offered a heartfelt apology to her opponent. The abrupt end to their match at the Paris Olympics left many stunned, and Carini's actions post-fight have sparked significant discussion.

Khelif, one of two athletes cleared to compete in women's boxing in Paris despite previous disqualification from the Women's World Championships, has been at the center of controversy. Her eligibility, defended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has stirred mixed reactions.

"All this controversy makes me sad," Carini told the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. "I'm sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision."

Carini, who is also 25, reflected on her decision to abandon the fight, describing it as a mature step but lamented her immediate reaction afterward.

"It wasn't something I intended to do," she explained. "Actually, I want to apologize to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke."

She further added that if she met Khelif again, she would "embrace her," emphasizing the sincerity of her apology.

The bout itself was brief but intense. After taking a punch to the face within the first 30 seconds, Carini went to her corner to fix her headgear. Despite briefly resuming, she returned to her corner once more, ultimately deciding to stop the fight.

"It could have been the match of a lifetime, but I had to preserve my life as well in that moment," Carini later told BBC Sport.

The controversy surrounding Khelif's participation stems from last year's Russia-led International Boxing Association (IBA) tests, which deemed her ineligible for the women's competition. Despite this, the IOC has recognized Khelif as a female athlete.

"The Algerian boxer was born female, was registered female, lived her life as a female, boxed as a female, has a female passport," IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated on Friday.

As the dust settles, Carini's apology highlights the emotional and complex nature of Olympic competition, where respect and sportsmanship remain paramount, even amidst controversy.