Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxing champion recently crowned at the Paris Olympics, has initiated legal action against what her attorney describes as a campaign of “aggravated online harassment.” This legal move follows her victory in the women’s 66kg category, where she faced intense scrutiny over her gender eligibility.
“The boxer Imane Khelif has decided to begin a new fight, a fight for justice, dignity, and honor,” stated her lawyer, Nabil Boudi in a France24 report. The complaint was filed with Paris prosecutors, aiming to identify the sources of the misogynistic and racist attacks against her.
Khelif’s struggle with gender eligibility questions was highlighted last year when she, along with Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, was disqualified from the world championships. Despite this, both were cleared to compete in the Olympics, sparking widespread debate.
“This campaign of iniquitous harassment remains the biggest stain on these Olympic Games,” Boudi remarked.
Khelif’s resilience was evident when she told reporters, “I am fully qualified to take part, I am a woman like any other. I was born a woman, lived as a woman, and competed as a woman.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is currently overseeing the boxing events due to ongoing concerns about the sport’s governance. The controversy surrounding Khelif’s participation has prompted discussions about potentially revising gender verification protocols for future Olympics.