VILLEPINTE, France — The Hungarian Boxing Association says it is sending letters of protest to both the IOC and Hungary’s Olympic committee over Anna Luca Hamori’s quarterfinal matchup with Imane Khelif of Algeria in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics.
Hamori still will accept her fight on Saturday against Khelif, according to MTI, Hungary’s state news agency.
MTI was told of the association’s plans Friday by Lajos Berkó, a member of the association’s executive board. The association also is investigating the possibility of legally challenging Khelif’s presence.
“I am very sad that there is a scandal and that we have to talk about a topic that is not compatible with sport,” Berkó said. “This is unacceptable and outrageous.”
The boxing association plans to “express our indignation and request that the IOC reconsider its decision, which allowed a competitor into the IOC competition system who was previously banned from the (International Boxing Association’s) world championships,” Berkó said.
Khelif and fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting of Chinese Taipei were disqualified from the 2023 world championships after they had already competed. The IBA ruled that Khelif and Lin had failed unspecified gender eligibility tests, but provided no documentation. Both fighters had competed in IBA events for several years.
Hamori is Hungary’s first women’s boxer at the Olympics, and she expressed no qualms about fighting Khelif immediately after she earned her quarterfinal berth in the 66-kilogram division by trouncing Australia’s Marissa Williamson Pohlman.
“I’m not scared,” Hamori said. “I don’t care about the press story and social media.”
Khelif’s first opponent at Paris, Angela Carini of Italy, quit their bout after 46 seconds. Her tearful reaction to abandoning the fight made international headlines, and Carini received a visit from Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.
“This from my point of view was not an equal competition,” Meloni said Thursday while in Paris, where she consoled Carini after she ended the match.
On Friday, Meloni met with IOC President Thomas Bach and both agreed that the Italian government and IOC “would remain in contact to evaluate how to confront the issue in the future.”
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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
Imane Khelif, a talented boxer from Algeria, has recently come under fire from the boxing federation of her opponent’s country for her participation in the upcoming Olympics. The federation has sent a scathing letter criticizing Khelif’s involvement in the games, citing various reasons for their disapproval.
The letter, which was addressed to the International Boxing Association (AIBA), accused Khelif of lacking the necessary skills and experience to compete at the Olympic level. The federation claimed that Khelif’s inclusion in the competition would be detrimental to the sport of boxing and could potentially tarnish its reputation.
Furthermore, the letter alleged that Khelif had not earned her spot in the Olympics through fair competition, insinuating that she may have received preferential treatment or engaged in unethical practices to secure her place in the games. The federation called for a thorough investigation into Khelif’s qualifications and eligibility to participate in the Olympics.
In response to the criticism, Khelif has maintained her innocence and defended her right to compete in the Olympics. She has stated that she has worked tirelessly to qualify for the games and has always adhered to the rules and regulations set forth by AIBA. Khelif expressed disappointment in the federation’s accusations and urged them to reconsider their stance.
The controversy surrounding Khelif’s participation in the Olympics highlights the intense competition and scrutiny that athletes face on the road to the games. While it is not uncommon for rival federations to express their disapproval of certain athletes, it is important for all parties involved to uphold the principles of fair play and sportsmanship.
As the Olympics draw near, it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved and whether Khelif will be allowed to compete in the games. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain – the world will be watching as athletes from around the globe come together to showcase their skills and compete for glory on the world stage.
