Italian boxer Angela Carini has issued an apology for the "controversy" that followed her Olympics defeat to Imane Khelif. Carini withdrew from her opening round bout with the Algerian after just 46 seconds, and was seen in tears and declined to shake Khelif's hand.
The match has sparked a broad discussion about Khelif's eligibility to compete at the games. She was disqualified by the IBA last year for failing to meet the governing bodies' eligibility criteria.
It later emerged that she had failed a testosterone test but Olympic rules stated she could still compete in Paris. Carini, the defeated opponent, has now addressed the ongoing controversy and extended an apology to Khelif, particularly for refusing her post-fight handshake. READ MORE: Faces of two men who killed 'loving' son just trying to save his pal "All this controversy makes me sad," expressed Carini. "I'm sorry for my opponent, too. ...
If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.", reports the Mirror. "It wasn't something I intended to do [ignoring the handshake]," Carini added. "Actually, I want to apologise to her and everyone else.