Russia, Algeria Throw Diplomatic Punches at UN over Olympic Women's Boxing

Russia's Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy addresses a news conference ahead of a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York, US, April 19, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Russia's Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy addresses a news conference ahead of a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York, US, April 19, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Russia, Algeria Throw Diplomatic Punches at UN over Olympic Women's Boxing

Russia's Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy addresses a news conference ahead of a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York, US, April 19, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Russia's Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy addresses a news conference ahead of a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York, US, April 19, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Russia and Algeria threw diplomatic punches at the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday after Russia brought up an Olympic boxing gender row during a meeting of the body focused on women, peace and security.

Deputy Russian UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy accused western countries of monopolizing the Olympic movement and "aggressively" imposing an LGBT agenda on the rest of the world that he said was damaging women's rights and dignity.

"At the Olympic Games in Paris female boxers are being publicly subjected to violence (by) athletes who had previously failed hormonal tests done by the International Boxing Federation and, according to the Federation and according to common sense, are men," he said. "This is absolutely repellant."

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships after the International Boxing Association (IBA) said a sex chromosome test had ruled both of them both ineligible.

They have both taken part in the Olympics after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped the IBA of its status as the sport's governing body in 2023 and took control of organising the boxing in Paris. The IOC says they are women.

The IOC says the IBA is mired in financial opaqueness and compromised by ties to the Russian leadership.

Senior Algerian diplomat Toufik Koudri strongly rejected Polyanskiy's remarks.

"The courageous boxer Miss Imane Khelif was born a female. She has lived through her childhood and upbringing and adolescent years as a woman. She practiced sports as a full-fledged woman," he told the 15-member council.

Koudri added: "There isn't a shred of doubt on that matter, except for those who have (a) vague political agenda.



Italian World Cup Striker Schillaci Dies Aged 59

FILE PHOTO: Italian striker Salvatore Schillaci (L) of Iwata Jubilo and world selections in the J.League tries to intercept a back pass by Japanese defender Saito of Shimizu S-Pulse during the J.League dream match held at Tokyo's national stadium October 10. The world squad beat the Japanese selections 2-1. JAPAN/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Italian striker Salvatore Schillaci (L) of Iwata Jubilo and world selections in the J.League tries to intercept a back pass by Japanese defender Saito of Shimizu S-Pulse during the J.League dream match held at Tokyo's national stadium October 10. The world squad beat the Japanese selections 2-1. JAPAN/File Photo
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Italian World Cup Striker Schillaci Dies Aged 59

FILE PHOTO: Italian striker Salvatore Schillaci (L) of Iwata Jubilo and world selections in the J.League tries to intercept a back pass by Japanese defender Saito of Shimizu S-Pulse during the J.League dream match held at Tokyo's national stadium October 10. The world squad beat the Japanese selections 2-1. JAPAN/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Italian striker Salvatore Schillaci (L) of Iwata Jubilo and world selections in the J.League tries to intercept a back pass by Japanese defender Saito of Shimizu S-Pulse during the J.League dream match held at Tokyo's national stadium October 10. The world squad beat the Japanese selections 2-1. JAPAN/File Photo

Former Italy and Juventus striker Salvatore Schillaci, a star of the 1990 World Cup on his home soil, has died at the age of 59, his former clubs Inter Milan and Juventus said on Wednesday.

Schillaci led Italy to their third-place finish in 1990, winning the Golden Boot for his six goals during the tournament, including in the semi-final against Argentina and in their third-place victory over England, Reuters reported.

"A football icon is leaving us, a man who has entered the hearts of Italians and sports fans around the world," Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni posted on X.

"Salvatore Schillaci, known by everyone as Toto, the striker from the magic nights of Italia '90 with our national team. Thanks for the emotions you gave us, for having made us dream, celebrate, embrace, and wave our national flag. Bon voyage, champion."

The Sicilian's wide eyes as he celebrated his goals became one of the enduring images of that World Cup.
Schillaci was awarded the Golden Ball as player of the tournament and was later named as the runner-up for the 1990 Ballon d'Or men's player of the year award, behind World Cup winning captain Lothar Matthaus of West Germany.
He had started Italy's opening World Cup game as a substitute but came off the bench to score the winner in a 1-0 victory over Austria.
After the excitement of 1990, Schillaci scored only one more goal for Italy and did not appear for them at any other major tournaments.
A small, bustling striker, Schillaci, nicknamed "Toto", had been a late developer, spending the early years of his career playing in the lower leagues for Sicilian club Messina.
He was the top scorer in Serie B, the Italian second division, in 1988-89, earning him a move to Serie A giants Juventus.
"We immediately fell in love with Toto. With his desire, his story, his passion," Juventus said in a statement.
"We at Juve were lucky enough to get excited about him before, in that incredible summer of 1990, the whole of Italy did."
Schillaci helped Juventus to claim the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup in 1989-90 before winning the latter trophy again four years later with Inter Milan.
Serie A President Lorenzo Casini paid tribute to Schillaci.
"He was a champion who lit up the "magic nights" of Italia 90," he said.
"His desire to reach the top levels in soccer has been and will remain a source of inspiration for so many youngsters pursuing their dream of playing in Serie A."
He then became the first Italian player to play in Japan's J.League and won the league title with his club Jubilo Iwata in 1997.
He retired from football in 1999.