A Judoka's Triumphant Kiss Captures the World's Attention: "I Regret That This Kiss Is Seen as Extraordinary"
- ByGianluca Ricci --
- 2024-08-05 05:07:30 --
- 0 Comments --
- ITA
The Extraordinary Moment at the Paris 2024 Olympics
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have been generating a significant amount of controversy. From the organization of the event, like the incident in the Seine River, to the inclusion of two "punished" boxers in the world championships, or the criticism a female athlete is receiving for kissing her partner, the Games have been a hotbed of debate.
At the center of one such controversy is Italian judoka Alice Bellandi, who, after defeating Israeli athlete Inbar Lanir by ippon in the -78kg final to win the Olympic gold medal, ran to the stands to celebrate her triumph with her girlfriend, fellow judoka Jasmine Martin. The kiss between the couple, which has gone viral around the world, took place in the presence of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who congratulated the athlete on the mat.
"It's a gold full of love. I regret that this kiss is seen as something extraordinary. It's love. Who would you kiss after achieving such important results?"
Meloni, who two years ago at a Vox event in Marbella, Spain, made a controversial speech against the LGBTIQ+ community, saying "Yes to the natural family, no to the LGBT lobby; yes to sexual identity, no to gender ideology," was present to witness Bellandi's joyful celebration with her partner.
Bellandi, however, remained focused on the significance of her achievement, stating, "Everything moves through love, because sport is love, friendship is love, and a couple is love." She also expressed gratitude to her loved ones, including her family, her partner, her coach Antonio Ciano, and the national team, and dedicated the medal to her country, saying, "I dedicate it to my Italy, after the competitions of these days did not go as we had hoped."
The Boxer's Contentious Situation: A Controversial Decision
In another case, the International Boxing Association (IBA), the organization that manages Elite boxing (formerly amateur) but not the Olympic boxing, has decided to pay Italian boxer Angela Carini the prize set before the Games for those who win gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In a statement, the organization explains that, by decision of President Umar Kremlev, Carini will be rewarded "as if she had become an Olympic champion."
The prize consists of $100,000 (net), of which $50,000 will go to Carini, $25,000 to her coach, and $25,000 to her national federation, the Italian Boxing Federation (FPI), which, however, has recently left the IBA to join a new entity, "World Boxing."
"I couldn't bear to watch her cry, and I can't remain indifferent to a situation like this. I don't understand why they are killing women's boxing. To maintain safety conditions, only eligible athletes should compete."
Kremlev, the IBA president, stated that he could not bear to watch Carini cry and that he could not remain indifferent to the situation. He expressed his confusion over why women's boxing is being "killed" and believes that only eligible athletes should compete to maintain safety conditions.
The IBA has also announced that it will protect Uzbek boxer Sitora Turdibekova, who yesterday regularly fought and lost on points against the other hyperandrogenic boxer, Taiwanese Lin Yu Ting, without explaining how.
Just like World Athletics, the IBA had announced before the Olympics that it would distribute cash prizes to Olympic medalists. The difference is that the world athletics federation will only reward gold medals, while the boxing federation will also give money to silver ($ 50,000, of which $ 25,000 to the athlete and the rest to the coach and national federation) and bronze ($ 25,000, of which $ 12,500 to the athlete and the rest to be distributed) medalists. In the case of Angela Carini, as mentioned, it was decided to reward her, her coach, and the FPI as if she had won the gold.
A Diverse and Inclusive Olympics?
The Paris 2024 Olympics have been a stage for both celebration and controversy, as seen in the cases of Alice Bellandi's joyful kiss with her partner and the IBA's decision to award a substantial prize to Angela Carini, despite the ongoing debates surrounding her participation. These events raise important questions about the level of diversity, inclusivity, and fairness within the Olympic movement.
As the world watches the events unfold in Paris, it is clear that the Games are not just about athletic competition but also about the societal and political issues that intersect with the sporting arena. The handling of these sensitive situations will have a lasting impact on the perception and legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
As the world's attention remains fixed on the events unfolding in Paris, it is clear that the Olympics are not just about athletic competition, but also about the societal and political issues that intersect with the sporting arena. The handling of these sensitive situations will have a lasting impact on the perception and legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
- The Paris 2024 Olympics have been a stage for both celebration and controversy.
- The kiss between Italian judoka Alice Bellandi and her partner Jasmine Martin has gone viral around the world.
- The IBA's decision to award a substantial prize to Italian boxer Angela Carini has sparked controversy in the boxing community.
- These events raise important questions about the level of diversity, inclusivity, and fairness within the Olympic movement.
As the world continues to follow the events unfolding in Paris, it is clear that the legacy of the 2024 Olympics will be shaped not just by the athletic achievements, but also by the way the organizers and governing bodies handle the complex social and political issues that intersect with the Games.
Whether it is the celebration of LGBTIQ+ athletes or the ongoing debates surrounding the participation of athletes with hyperandrogenism, the Paris 2024 Olympics have become a microcosm of the broader societal and political conversations happening around the world. The way these issues are navigated will have a lasting impact on the perception and legacy of the Games.
As the world prepares to witness the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from the world's top athletes, it is clear that the Paris 2024 Olympics will be remembered not just for the athletic feats, but also for the way the organizers and governing bodies navigate the complex social and political issues that have come to the forefront.