Imane Khelif, the Algerian Olympic boxing champion, has initiated a legal battle in France against several high-profile individuals, including JK Rowling and Elon Musk. The lawsuit, filed on August 9, accuses these figures of cyber-harassment following a heated controversy surrounding Khelif’s gender eligibility in sports.
Lawsuit Against Prominent Figures
Khelif, who became Algeria’s first female boxing gold medallist and its first boxer to win gold since 1996, faced intense scrutiny and abuse after her performance at the Tokyo Olympics. The 25-year-old athlete’s legal team, led by attorney Nabil Boudi, lodged a criminal complaint with the Paris public prosecutor’s office, alleging “misogynistic, racist, and sexist” cyberbullying.
The lawsuit, filed under French law against “X,” which refers to unknown individuals, aims to hold accountable those responsible for the online harassment. Boudi emphasized that this approach allows the prosecution to investigate all potential perpetrators, including those who used pseudonyms to hide their identities. Notably, the complaint names prominent figures like Rowling and Musk, with Boudi suggesting that Donald Trump could also come under scrutiny due to his social media activity.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy began when Khelif was barred from competing in the 2023 boxing world championships after failing a gender eligibility test administered by the International Boxing Association (IBA). The International Olympic Committee (IOC) later disputed this test, criticizing the IBA for various governance issues and stripping it of recognition as the boxing governing body.
Despite the IOC’s stance affirming Khelif’s gender as female, the situation intensified when Italian boxer Angela Carini abandoned their match, citing the strength of Khelif’s punches as the reason. This incident sparked a wave of online abuse directed at Khelif, particularly on the platform X.
Rowling, known for her outspoken views on gender and sports, shared a post criticizing Khelif and the broader issue of male participation in women’s sports. Musk, who owns X, endorsed a similar sentiment by sharing a post from US swimmer Riley Gaines. Trump also weighed in, posting about the fight and his stance against men in women’s sports.
Impact and Reactions
Khelif’s coach, Pedro Diaz, described the online harassment as profoundly affecting the boxer and those around her. Diaz, who has previously trained numerous Olympic champions, expressed shock at the extent of the abuse Khelif endured. Following her victory over China’s Yang Liu, Khelif addressed her critics, reaffirming her identity and dedication to her sport. She asserted, “I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I have lived as a woman, and I competed as a woman. [The detractors] are enemies of success, and that also gives my success a special taste because of these attacks.”
The lawsuit, while filed in France, could potentially extend its reach to target personalities abroad, depending on the investigation’s outcome. Khelif’s case highlights ongoing debates over gender and sports, with her legal action aiming to address the severe impacts of cyberbullying on her career and personal life.