Angela Carini faces online abuse after controversial Olympic match

The controversy surrounding Angela Carini, an Italian boxer, erupted during the Paris Olympics when she decided to quit her match against Algeria's Imane Khelif, citing the pain from Khelif's punches. This decision drew significant media attention and sparked discussions about gender eligibility in sports, particularly concerning Khelif. Allegations emerged that Khelif had previous issues with a gender eligibility test, which led to her disqualification from the International Boxing Association (IBA). Following the match, Carini was subjected to a wave of online abuse, with messages labeling her a coward and questioning her place in the Italian team, which severely impacted her mental health and career. In an emotional social media video, Carini expressed that the fallout from the incident has “destroyed” her career, stating it was challenging to cope with the public scrutiny and abuse. The Italian Premier and even Donald Trump weighed in on the controversy, which underscores wider issues in women's sports and the complexities of gender discussions. The International Olympic Committee defended its decisions regarding the matches and stated that both Khelif and another boxer faced undue consequences from a hastily made decision by the IBA. This revelation led to the formation of new policies by World Boxing regarding mandatory sex testing to ensure the integrity of women’s boxing categories moving forward, highlighting the ongoing debate in sports regarding fairness, identity, and the treatment of female athletes in the face of societal backlash. The aftermath of the incident emphasizes a critical need for advocacy and protections for female athletes, as well as a call for greater understanding and resources to help them cope with the pressures of competition and public expectations.