Olympic boxer Angela Carini apologises to Imane Khelif and explains why she refused handshake

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.

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"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. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke. I don't have anything against Khelif. Actually, if I were to meet her again I would embrace her."

Carini's new perspective on her bout with Khelif comes just days after her emotional comments following her defeat. She had previously stated that she feared for her health - one of the main reasons why she chose to withdraw from the fight.

"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