Italy's Angela Carini reluctantly abandoned her Olympic bout against Algerian boxer Imane Khelif just 46 seconds in, declaring: "I had to preserve my life."
Khelif, one of two athletes recently cleared to compete in the women's boxing in Paris, had previously been disqualified from last year's Women's World Championships due to failing eligibility criteria. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) revealed Khelif, a welterweight, was disqualified in India for elevated testosterone levels.
Khelif, who also competed at the Tokyo Games, received a bye in the first round and entered Arena Paris Nord on Thursday to thunderous applause from Algerian fans. However, after taking a punch to the face within 30 seconds, Carini retreated to her corner for a headgear fix. She briefly resumed but soon stopped the fight again.
Caught on camera just before Khelif's victory was declared, Carini was heard saying: "It's not right." She was in tears both in the ring and when facing the media afterward.
Kevin O'Sullivan and Dr Renee Hoenderkamp discuss how the bout was sanctioned at Olympic level.
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