Tesla CEO Elon Musk has expressed his support for Italian boxer Angela Carini following her controversial loss to Algerian fighter Imane Khelif at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The match, which ended abruptly after only 46 seconds, saw Carini withdrawing after being struck multiple times in the face. Visibly distressed, Carini sobbed on her knees in the middle of the ring and did not shake hands with Khelif, who advanced to the quarterfinals.
Musk retweeted a post from American swimmer Riley Gaines, who wrote, “Men don’t belong in women’s sports #IStandWithAngelaCarini.” In another bold move, Musk challenged U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to address the controversy. “Kamala Harris supports this… Vote accordingly,” an X user commented, to which Musk replied, “True or let her deny it.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also weighed in on the issue, stating that Carini’s defeat “was not an even contest.” The match has sparked significant debate due to Khelif’s controversial eligibility to compete in the Olympics.
Carini described the incident, saying, “I have a big pain in my nose and I said, ‘Stop.’ It’s better to avoid keeping going. My nose started dripping (with blood) from the first hit.” Khelif’s participation in the Olympics came despite her disqualification from the 2023 women’s World Championships for reportedly failing gender eligibility tests.
The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to permit Khelif to compete has drawn criticism from former female boxing champions, including Claressa Shields and Ebanie Bridges. Shields and Bridges have openly questioned the fairness of allowing athletes with failed gender eligibility tests to compete in women’s sports.
The IOC’s policy has come under scrutiny after it allowed two boxers to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics despite failing gender eligibility tests for the World Boxing Championships last year. In 2023, Khelif faced disqualification just hours before the gold medal match at the women’s World Championships due to reportedly high testosterone levels in her system.
The situation has reignited the debate over gender eligibility in sports, with many athletes and public figures calling for stricter regulations to ensure fair competition. Elon Musk’s high-profile involvement and comments from political leaders like Giorgia Meloni have amplified the controversy, highlighting the need for a resolution that maintains the integrity of women’s sports.