VILLEPINTE, France (AP) — The Hungarian Boxing Association states that it is sending letters of protest to both the IOC and Hungary’s Olympic committee regarding Anna Luca Hamori’s quarterfinal match with Imane Khelif of Algeria in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics.
Hamori will still proceed with her fight on Saturday against Khelif, as stated by MTI, Hungary’s state news agency.
MTI was informed of the association’s intentions on Friday by Lajos Berkó, a member of the association’s executive board. The association is also exploring the option of legally challenging Khelif’s participation.
“I am deeply saddened by the scandal and the fact that we are forced to address an issue that goes against the spirit of sports,” Berkó said. “This is unacceptable and disgraceful.”
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The boxing association intends to “express our outrage and urge the IOC to reconsider its decision, which allowed a competitor into the IOC competition system despite being previously barred from the (International Boxing Association’s) world championships,” Berkó added.
Khelif and fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting of Chinese Taipei were disqualified from the 2023 world championships after competing. The IBA determined that Khelif and Lin had failed unspecified gender eligibility tests, with no supporting documentation provided. Both fighters had participated in IBA events for several years.
Hamori is Hungary’s first female boxer at the Olympics, and she expressed no hesitation about facing Khelif right after securing her quarterfinal spot in the 66-kilogram division by defeating Australia’s Marissa Williamson Pohlman.
“I’m not afraid,” Hamori said. “I’m not bothered by the media coverage and social media.”
Khelif’s initial opponent in Paris, Angela Carini of Italy, withdrew from their fight after 46 seconds. Her emotional reaction to pulling out of the match made headlines worldwide, leading to a visit from Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.
“In my view, this was not a fair competition,” Meloni stated while in Paris, where she consoled Carini following the match.
On Friday, Meloni met with IOC President Thomas Bach, and they both agreed that the Italian government and IOC would “remain in touch to assess how to address the issue in the future.”
AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
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