ANGELA CARINI has issued a public apology after abandoning her Olympic boxing bout after just 46 seconds.
The Italian withdrew from her contest against Algeria’s Imane Khelif on Thursday.
Angela Carini has issued a public apology to Imane Khelif after abandoning their boutCredit: Getty
A gender row has since erupted after Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships for failing a gender test.
Following the bout, Carini said she had quit to save her life after taking two heavy punches from Khelif.
However, the 25-year-old has now explained she wants to apologise to her opponent for how she handled the aftermath of their fight.
She told Gazzetta dello Sport: “All this controversy makes me sad.
“I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.”
Carini went on to admit she regretted not shaking hands with Khelif, adding: “It wasn’t something I intended to do.
“Actually, I want to apologise to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke.”
She also said that if she met Khelif again, she would “embrace her”.
