Opponent’s Boxing Federation Criticizes Imane Khelif’s Olympic Involvement

In Villepinte, France, the Hungarian Boxing Association is sending letters of protest to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Hungary’s Olympic committee regarding Anna Luca Hamori’s upcoming quarterfinal match against Imane Khelif from Algeria in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics. Despite the protest, Hamori is set to go ahead with her fight against Khelif on Saturday, as reported by MTI, Hungary’s state news agency. The association’s executive board member, Lajos Berkó, disclosed on Friday the intentions to challenge Khelif’s participation through legal means.

Berkó expressed disappointment over the situation, stating, “I am very sad that there is a scandal and that we have to talk about a topic that is not compatible with sport. This is unacceptable and outrageous.” The Hungarian Boxing Association aims to convey their dismay and urge the IOC to reconsider the decision permitting Khelif’s entry, given her previous disqualification from the International Boxing Association’s world championships alongside Lin Yu-ting of Chinese Taipei due to unspecified gender eligibility issues.

Despite the controversy surrounding Khelif’s participation, Hamori, Hungary’s first female boxer at the Olympics, remains undeterred about facing Khelif following her victory over Marissa Williamson Pohlman from Australia to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the 66-kilogram division. Hamori stated, “I’m not scared. I don’t care about the press story and social media.”

Imane Khelif’s initial opponent in Paris, Angela Carini from Italy, stopped their match after just 46 seconds, leading to a tearful reaction from Carini that garnered widespread attention. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni visited Carini to offer support, stating, “This from my point of view was not an equal competition.” Meloni further discussed the matter with IOC President Thomas Bach, agreeing to maintain communication to address similar issues in the future.

The situation involving the controversial quarterfinal matchup in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics continues to unfold, prompting discussions between involved parties on the handling of such circumstances in elite sports competitions.