Last night, JK Rowling expressed her fury over an Olympic boxing match, describing it as “a man beating a woman in public for entertainment.”
This outburst followed an incident where Italian boxer Angela Carini was forced to withdraw from a bout against Algerian opponent Imane Khelif, just 46 seconds into the match.
Carini claimed she was hit so hard that she “couldn’t breathe.” Rowling labeled Khelif a “bullying cheat” and criticized Olympic officials for allowing the match to proceed.
A global backlash quickly followed, spearheaded by Italy’s prime minister and Rowling herself.
Angela Carini, after the match, described the intensity of Khelif’s punches as unprecedented.
The situation was particularly controversial because Khelif, born with Differences of Sexual Development (DSD), has some biological traits of both males and females.
Women’s rights campaigner Rowling shared a video of the fight on social media, calling out the perceived injustice and questioning the integrity of the sport.
Olympic officials defended Khelif, condemning the public’s “aggression” and “discrimination” against intersex individuals, who constitute 1.7% of the global population.
Khelif responded to the support with gratitude, posting on social media, “Praise be to God. Divine justice.” Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and various sports figures, including Judy Murray and former British PM Liz Truss, joined the outcry, insisting that the match was not fair.
The fight ended with Carini on her knees in tears, declaring the match unjust.
Her prime minister emphasized that the high testosterone levels in Khelif’s blood rendered the competition unequal.
Carini’s coach revealed concerns about her safety, with many advising her against competing. Various sports figures, including former tennis star Martina Navratilova, also spoke out, highlighting the safety risks involved.
What is DSD?
Differences of Sexual Development (DSD) are rare conditions involving genes, hormones, and reproductive organs.
Some individuals with DSDs are raised as females but possess XY chromosomes, higher testosterone levels, and the ability to utilize testosterone in their bodies.
Why is it an Issue in Sport?
In many sports, separate categories for women exist due to the advantages conferred by male puberty, including higher testosterone levels, increased muscle mass, and skeletal advantages.
In combat sports like boxing, these differences can pose serious safety concerns.
The Paris Olympics Controversy
At the Paris Olympics, boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting faced scrutiny over eligibility rules that bar athletes with XY chromosomes from women’s events.
Khelif was disqualified from last year’s world championships due to failing gender eligibility tests but was allowed to compete in the Olympics, leading to widespread criticism and debate.
Mixed Reactions and Future Implications
The United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Reem Alsalem, supported Carini’s decision to prioritize her safety. Meanwhile, Khelif received backing from her country’s Olympic committee.
Despite the controversy, Olympic officials affirmed that all participants met eligibility criteria, though the debate over fairness and safety in sports involving intersex athletes continues.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about gender, fairness, and safety in sports, with opinions divided and no clear resolution in sight.
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