“I do not agree with the IOC's choice, but I have for years. When the IOC changed the regulations in 2021, we presented a motion to present the consequences that this could have.” This was stated by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, invited to Casa Italia in Paris, regarding the case of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif against whom Angela Carini retired after 46 seconds.
“It is a fact that with the levels of testosterone present in the blood of the Algerian athlete, the race at the start does not seem fair – added the Prime Minister – There were also aspects related to security and I also think that we must be careful, in an attempt not to discriminate, to discriminate. I have been trying for years to explain that certain theses, taken to the extreme, risk impacting women's rights.”
“I believe that athletes who have male genetic characteristics should not be allowed to compete in women's competitions, not because we want to discriminate against anyone, but to protect the right of female athletes to compete on an equal footing.”
“I didn't agree with the 2021 choice, I don't agree with today's choice, I thank Angela Carini for the way she fought even if we couldn't see her except for small flashes. Did she withdraw? I'm even more sorry, I was excited yesterday when he wrote I will fight because in these things, dedication, head and character certainly also count. But you also have to be able to compete on an equal footing and, from my point of view, it was not an equal race,” Meloni concluded.
