Italy’s Angela Carini abandoned her Olympic bout against Algerian boxer Imane Khelif inside 46 seconds, saying: "I had to preserve my life."
Khelif is one of two athletes who have been cleared to compete in the women’s boxing in Paris, having been disqualified from last year’s Women’s World Championships for failing to meet eligibility criteria.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams said the two boxers are "real people" who have been competing "for many years".
He added that "this is not a transgender issue".
Khelif will face Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the 66kg quarter-finals on Saturday, where another win would guarantee her an Olympic medal.
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