Biggs, Lake Condemn Controversial Boxer Competing in Olympics

Rep. Andy Biggs

The Paris 2024 Olympics have been controversial since the opening ceremonies, which prominently featured drag queens and mockery of the Last Supper. Now, boxer Imane Khelif of Algeria was allowed to compete in the women's boxing event, but Italy's Angela Carini quit the match after receiving two punches. Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake (R) both condemned the allowance in posts on X (formerly Twitter).

Khelif was disqualified from the Women's World Boxing Championship last year in India due to possessing high testosterone levels and being a biological male. The entity that disqualified Khelif, the International Boxing Association (IBA), has been feuding with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over governance, integrity, and the IBA's backing by Russian energy firm Gazprom. Thus, the IBA had no input in the decision for Khelif to compete in the Olympics.

The New York Post also noted that fans of Carini tried to warn her and coach Emanuele Renzini ahead of the match, saying, "Don't go please: it's a man, it's dangerous for you."

Thursday's fight saw Italian boxer Angela Carini face Khelif in the ring but quit after 46 seconds and two shots from the Algerian, citing extreme pain in her nose. The Associated Press further noted that her protective headgear became dislodged at least once. Carini refused to shake Khelif's hand.

Former University of Kentucky swimmer and women's sports activist Riley Gaines shared some of the footage on X, saying, "After 46 seconds and a few hits to the face by a male, Carini forfeited the fight. Call me crazy, but It's almost as if women don't want to be punched in the face by a male as the world watches and applauds. This is glorified male violence against women."

Rep. Biggs retweeted Gaines' post, saying, "Biological men will never be women. We cannot continue allowing men to infiltrate women's sports."

Kari Lake took an opportunity to attack her Democratic rival Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), who is competing with her for the Senate seat of Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) in her response:

"This is a video of a man beating a woman. A woman who trained her entire life to compete for her country in the Olympics, only to have those dreams (& her nose) shattered by a right hook. Just last week, @RubenGallego voted to allow this to keep happening to our girls. Men don't belong in women's sports, & Ruben Gallego doesn't belong in the Senate," said Lake.

Grayson Bakich

Florida born and raised, Grayson Bakich is a recent recipient of a Master’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Central Florida. His thesis examined recent trends in political polarization and how this leads into justification of violence.