Meloni reacts to Algerian boxer Imane Khelif

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has reacted to the fact that Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who failed a "gender eligibility test" in 2023, is competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Meloni stated that athletes with male genetic characteristics should not be admitted to women's competitions.

According to the Italian news agency ANSA, Prime Minister Meloni commented on the match in which Italian boxer Angela Carini was set to face Khelif, who failed the gender eligibility test, in the women's boxing tournament at the Olympics. Meloni said, "I think that athletes with male genetic characteristics should not be admitted to women's competitions."

Meloni stated that this statement was not intended to discriminate against anyone, but rather to protect the right of female athletes to compete on equal terms. Furthermore, sharing a photo of Carini on the social media platform X, Meloni wrote, "I know you won't give up. I know that one day you will get what you deserve in a fair competition."

Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla and SpaceX, also replied "Absolutely" to a post on the X platform stating, 'Men have no place in women's sports.'

In the Olympic match against Khelif, Carini withdrew after 46 seconds. Carini stated that she feared her nose was broken by Khelif's blow. Stating that she did not accept the defeat, Carini commented, "When you step into the ring, you have already won." She expressed that it was not her place to decide whether Khelif should have been banned from the competition.

In an interview with the BBC, Khelif said she was there to win the gold medal and that she was one of two boxers allowed to fight in the Olympics despite being disqualified for failing a gender eligibility test.