Khelif is an Algerian who was disqualified from last year’s world championships for failing gender-eligibility tests.
The 25-year-old from Naples stopped fighting seconds into the round of 16 women’s welterweight (under 66kg) contest and fell to her knees and wept after Khelif was declared the winner.
Italian government ministers had expressed concern about whether it was safe and fair for Carini to be pitched against Khelif.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has used a different set of rules for admission to the Paris 2024 tournament than those for the world championships.
They had also allowed Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu‑ting to compete after she was banned from the 2023 world championships too.
Rosario Coco, the president of the Gaynet communications association, said there was no evidence to support the reports saying Khelif is a transgender woman.
“In contrast to the reports that have been circulating, the Algerian athlete Imane Khelif is not a trans woman,” said Coco.
“From the information we have about her, she is an intersex person, who has always socialised as a woman and has a sporting history in women’s competitions.”
Meanwhile, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised the fact that Khelif was allowed to compete.
“I have been trying to explain for years that, when taken to the extreme, some theses risk impacting women’s rights,” Meloni said at Team Italy’s Casa Italia Olympic headquarters.
“I think that athletes who have male genetic characteristics should not be admitted to women’s competitions.
“Not because we want to discriminate against anyone, but in order to protect the right of female athletes to be able to compete on equal terms.”
ANSA
