Australian boxer Harry Garside has disclosed that his female teammates feel ‘quite scared’ following the ‘dangerous’ and highly contested 46-second victory of Algerian fighter Iman Khelif over Italian Angela Carini at the Paris Olympics.
These comments arise as fellow Aussie boxer Marissa Williamson Pohlman criticized the International Olympic Committee regarding the ongoing controversy.
Global attention has been drawn to the women’s 66kg division after the IOC announced that two boxers disqualified from last year’s world championships due to gender eligibility issues were permitted to compete in Paris.
Khelif (66kg) and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting (57kg) were removed from the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) World Championships due to integrity concerns.
The IBA indicated that chromosome tests revealed both athletes carried XY chromosomes, typically found in males, while females possess XX chromosomes.
Carini withdrew from her match against Khelif amid safety fears after sustaining a suspected broken nose, collapsing to her knees and telling her corner, ‘it’s not fair.’
‘I’ve never been hit so hard in my life. The judgment is in the hands of the IOC,’ Carini shared post-fight.
Khelif, a skilled amateur who won a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships, is not transgender and reportedly does not identify as intersex, a term that refers to individuals whose physical characteristics do not fit typical definitions of male or female.
The IOC has defended its stance, asserting that these athletes have been competing in women’s events for years and were victims of an unwarranted IBA ban.
Algerian fighter Iman Khelif was banned by the International Boxing Association, which claimed she recorded a test result that showed she has XY chromosomes
Khelif (left) made light work of Italian Angela Carini, beating her in 46 seconds in their round of 16 bout at the Paris Olympics (pictured)
Carini was left in tears with a suspected broken nose after the bout, and later said she had never been hit that hard before
Garside has called on the IOC to heed the concerns of female fighters in Paris to ensure a safe and equitable competition for all participants, admitting that fear is prevalent among the women on the team.
‘It’s an incredibly tough conversation; I struggle to comment on this issue,’ he said during an appearance on KIIS FM’s Kyle & Jackie O show on Friday.
‘All I can do is consult the females in my team for their perspectives and respect them, as I hold deep admiration for my teammates.
‘I want them to feel safe and have a fair competition. Many of the girls are quite scared and feel that it’s unjust.’
‘As a male, I find it challenging to comment, but it’s essential that I respect and honor the views of my teammates.’
‘If they feel it is unfair, then we need to listen to the women’s voices in this division and understand their true feelings.’
Aussie star Harry Garside (pictured) wants the IOC to listen to women boxers as controversy rages over the inclusion of the two fighters
Garside expressed empathy for Khelif but emphasized the necessity for an equitable playing field for all competitors.
‘It’s challenging because if the Algerian boxer was born that way, we must also try to understand her perspective,’ he stated.
‘As I’ve said, I need to prioritize listening to my female athletes and their viewpoints.
‘I care about them, and I want them to have safe experiences and equitable opportunities.
Williamson-Pohlman, who competes in Khelif’s category, asserted that Khelif’s DNA results should be made transparent, insisting that decisions must consider the safety of all female competitors.
‘Right now, it’s all speculation. There are allegations that DNA tests confirmed Imane is XY,’ Williamson-Pohlman remarked from Paris.
‘If that’s the case, then, firstly, present that information openly and honestly, and secondly, the IOC needs to step in because making it fair for one person compromises justice for many others.’
Aussie fighter Marissa Williamson-Pohlman (pictured) wants to see DNA records made public so decisions could be made around the safety of women boxers
Meanwhile, Australian boxing captain Caitlin Parker voiced her belief that the Olympics’ sanctioning of two boxers who had failed gender eligibility tests was ‘incredibly dangerous.’
‘I do not support their participation in sports, particularly in combat sports. It can pose significant risks,’ Parker remarked.
‘I’ve sparred with men, but it can be risky in combat sports, and this issue warrants serious examination.
‘Biologically and genetically, they will inherently have advantages.’
‘I genuinely hope that the organizations manage to rectify this situation to ensure boxing remains a part of the Olympics.
‘It’s the oldest sport in the Olympics. Women’s boxing was only introduced in 2012, and I aspire to see it included for the next 100, 200 years.’
