A three-way conversation, the day after the Olympic ring storm. In Paris they meet Thomas BachIOC President, John Malagonumber one of Coni, and Giorgia Meloni. The Italian Prime Minister wants to strike a blow after the controversy raised yesterday over the case of Angela Carinithe Italian boxer who abandoned the match with the hyperandrogynous Algerian athlete Imane Khelif. The Italian position was already expressed yesterday: it was not a meeting of equals. But from the IOC, beyond the official declarations of circumstance, a firm response arrived: Khelif is a woman. The president of the Olympic Committee reiterated this upon leaving the meeting, which took place in the hotel where Meloni is staying in Paris: “The Algerian boxer is a woman and has competed for six years at an international level”, he told theAnsa.
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Meloni has asked for clearer rules, to be aligned with those of the federations. “Fairness”, the prime minister has been demanding since yesterday. And behind her is the Italian right, ready to mount a new case after the inaugural ceremony with the queer parody. The IOC’s response showed willingness to dialogue: “We agreed to stay in touch to ‘welcome’ the same scientific background and make the situation more understandable”. The only concession, therefore: the IOC will clarify to help understand the rules. Which, however, remain unchanged. And Khelif, therefore, will continue to compete, as also reiterated by the Committee’s spokesperson, Mark Adamswho slammed the “useless witch hunt”: “It is important for us to know that this female boxer has competed for years against different opponents. In the last three years she has fought against three Italian boxers. If we start to base our judgment against these suspicions then we should go back to the system based on genital tests.”
This is the line already clearly stated in the note released yesterday, in which the IOC said it was “saddened” by “the abuses that the two athletes are suffering (the other is the Thai Lin Yu-Ting, ndr)” and reiterated: “All athletes participating in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Boxing Tournament comply with the competition’s eligibility and registration regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations established by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU). As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, the athletes’ gender and age are based on their passports.” In the note, the IOC also noted “misleading information,” thus referring to the fake news campaign that spoke of the two athletes’ transsexuality.
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Malagò’s embarrassment
During today’s meeting with Meloni, however, the tone was more diplomatic on both sides. The topic of Milano Cortina 2026 was also addressed. “The prime minister – said Bach – confirmed the government’s full support for the success of the next winter games”. On Khelif, however, everyone goes their own way. With Malagò who confesses “a bit of institutional embarrassment” on his part: “The CONI position is to protect and defend Angela. I spoke to her weeks ago and for days, after the draw, we have been discussing the match against this gossiped boxer”. Speaking on Sportface TV, the CONI president reconstructs the story: “I, first verbally then in a light but formal way and finally with an official protest, wrote a letter to protect the athlete Angela Carini asking about the rumors and what the situation was – explained Malagò – Furthermore, people must know that the International Boxing Association was placed under special administration a year and a half ago. All the top brass have been removed and it has been taken under the aegis of the IOC with an independent third body. What is the issue? If one bases oneself on aesthetic aspects it is clear that the reflections are very common and similar. The Algerian did not have the first match of her life today, she has been on the boxing circuit for at least 8-9 years. She has a passport, which I must not judge, which declares that she is a woman. Then it is right that everyone makes their own considerations, but what I say is not to replace the profession of others. Ten people who represent a scientific commission have recently evaluated and tested, I received the letter this morning, what are the hormonal values of this athlete. Then everyone is free to think what they believe – he concluded – This is not a justification, I am still on Angela’s side”.
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– 2024-08-02 11:28:19
