Paris Olympics 2024: Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni has shown her support and sympathy for boxer Angela Carini, as the Italian boxer had to forfeit her bout against Algeria's Imane Khelif due to the fear of losing her life against an opponent, who had earlier failed a gender test.
Within just 46 seconds of the fight, such were the impact of punches from Imane Khelif that Angela Carini had to second-guess her choice to keep on fighting, and therefore, decided to quit, as she seemed to be in extreme pain and tearful.
This incident has, however, sparked immense controversy around the world, as thousands of people called the fight as unfair, and deemed Imane Khelif's participating in the Games as 'Disgrace'.
In the light of the incident, Giorgia Meloni showed her support by tweeting for Angela Carini, and stated that the boxer will deserve her goods "in a fair competition.
"So che non mollerai, Angela, e so che un giorno guadagnerai con sforzo e sudore quello che meriti. In una competizione finalmente equa," read Georgia Meloni's post on her official 'X' account.
(English Translation): I know you won't give up, Angela, and I know that one day you will earn with effort and sweat what you deserve. In a finally fair competition.
Angela Carini Speaks On Her Reason To Forfeit The Bout Against Imane Khelif
As reported by BBC Sports, Angela Carini feared for her life, and stated that the she was never afraid of the ring but "everything has an end to it".
Here's what she said:
"I wasn't able to finish the match. I felt a strong pain to my nose and I said [to myself] for the experience that I have and the maturity as a woman that I have, I said I hope my nation won't take it badly, I hope my dad won't take it badly - but I stopped, I said stop for myself. It could have been the match of a lifetime, but I had to preserve my life as well in that moment."
"I didn't have fear, I don't fear the ring. I don't fear taking the blows. But this time there's an end for everything, and I put an end to this match, because I wasn't able to. I wish her to carry on until the end and that she can be happy. I am someone who doesn't judge anyone. I am not here to give judgments."