00:49Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a press meeting in Rome on Thursday supported the Italian boxer Angela Carini's decision who refused to continue the fight against the Algerian athlete whose gender identity was questioned at earlier sport events.
"I think that athletes who have, let's say, male genetic characteristics should not be allowed to compete in women's competitions, and not because one wants to discriminate against anyone, but to protect the right of female athletes to be able to compete on equal terms," Meloni stressed.
Regarding the journalist's comment on Carini's withdrawal, the Prime Minister expressed her regret and highlighted the importance of the competition on 'equal terms.'
Meloni's comments followed the Italian athlete Angela Carini abandoned the match against the Algerian boxer Imane Khelif in the 46th second of fighting on Thursday as she faced powerful blows from her opponent, according to media reports.
Earlier, the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified Imane Khelif as well as Taiwanese athlete Lin Yu-ting from the World Boxing Championships held in New Delhi in March 2023 as they failed the gender eligibility test.
Despite the disqualification, both boxers were allowed to compete during the Paris Olympic Games 2024 following the International Olympic Committee (IOC) deprived IBA of recognition due to financial issues, as media reported. Both athletes also participated in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
The IOC stated that all boxers must comply with all necessary medical regulations in line with the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit's rules, as well as the competition's eligibility and entry requirements. The Committee also reported that the rules of eligibility were based on the Tokyo Olympics 2020 rules and cannot be changed.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, running from 26 July to 11 August, will feature 329 events across 32 sports, followed by the Paralympic Games from 28 August to 8 September.
'Important to compete on equal terms' - Meloni backs Italian boxer Carini amid Olympics gender row
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a press meeting in Rome on Thursday supported the Italian boxer Angela Carini's decision who refused to continue the fight against the Algerian athlete whose gender identity was questioned at earlier sport events.
"I think that athletes who have, let's say, male genetic characteristics should not be allowed to compete in women's competitions, and not because one wants to discriminate against anyone, but to protect the right of female athletes to be able to compete on equal terms," Meloni stressed.
Regarding the journalist's comment on Carini's withdrawal, the Prime Minister expressed her regret and highlighted the importance of the competition on 'equal terms.'
Meloni's comments followed the Italian athlete Angela Carini abandoned the match against the Algerian boxer Imane Khelif in the 46th second of fighting on Thursday as she faced powerful blows from her opponent, according to media reports.
Earlier, the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified Imane Khelif as well as Taiwanese athlete Lin Yu-ting from the World Boxing Championships held in New Delhi in March 2023 as they failed the gender eligibility test.
Despite the disqualification, both boxers were allowed to compete during the Paris Olympic Games 2024 following the International Olympic Committee (IOC) deprived IBA of recognition due to financial issues, as media reported. Both athletes also participated in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
The IOC stated that all boxers must comply with all necessary medical regulations in line with the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit's rules, as well as the competition's eligibility and entry requirements. The Committee also reported that the rules of eligibility were based on the Tokyo Olympics 2020 rules and cannot be changed.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, running from 26 July to 11 August, will feature 329 events across 32 sports, followed by the Paralympic Games from 28 August to 8 September.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a press meeting in Rome on Thursday supported the Italian boxer Angela Carini's decision who refused to continue the fight against the Algerian athlete whose gender identity was questioned at earlier sport events.
"I think that athletes who have, let's say, male genetic characteristics should not be allowed to compete in women's competitions, and not because one wants to discriminate against anyone, but to protect the right of female athletes to be able to compete on equal terms," Meloni stressed.
Regarding the journalist's comment on Carini's withdrawal, the Prime Minister expressed her regret and highlighted the importance of the competition on 'equal terms.'
Meloni's comments followed the Italian athlete Angela Carini abandoned the match against the Algerian boxer Imane Khelif in the 46th second of fighting on Thursday as she faced powerful blows from her opponent, according to media reports.
Earlier, the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified Imane Khelif as well as Taiwanese athlete Lin Yu-ting from the World Boxing Championships held in New Delhi in March 2023 as they failed the gender eligibility test.
Despite the disqualification, both boxers were allowed to compete during the Paris Olympic Games 2024 following the International Olympic Committee (IOC) deprived IBA of recognition due to financial issues, as media reported. Both athletes also participated in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
The IOC stated that all boxers must comply with all necessary medical regulations in line with the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit's rules, as well as the competition's eligibility and entry requirements. The Committee also reported that the rules of eligibility were based on the Tokyo Olympics 2020 rules and cannot be changed.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, running from 26 July to 11 August, will feature 329 events across 32 sports, followed by the Paralympic Games from 28 August to 8 September.