Algerian boxing champion Imane Khelif has taken legal action against online harassment following a wave of criticism and unfounded allegations about her gender during the Paris Olympics. The gold medalist, who has become a national hero in Algeria, filed a complaint on Friday with a special unit in the Paris prosecutor's office dedicated to combating online hate speech.
Olympic Champion Imane Khelif Faces Online Harassment
Khelif's lawyer, Nabil Boudi, described the harassment as a ‘misogynist, racist, and sexist campaign’ targeting the boxer. The complaint alleges "aggravated cyber-harassment" against the Olympic champion.
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Investigation Pending
The Paris prosecutor's office will now decide whether to launch a formal investigation into the online harassment targeting Imane Khelif. In accordance with French law, the complaint does not specify a particular individual but allows investigators to identify potential perpetrators.
Khelif's victory in the women's welterweight division inadvertently ignited a global debate on gender identity and sports regulations. Her first opponent, Angela Carini, abruptly withdrew from the match after suffering pain from initial punches, bringing the issue into sharp focus.
Online Misinformation and Disqualification
Following Khelif's victory, unfounded allegations circulated online claiming that she was transgender or male. The International Olympic Committee stepped in to defend the boxer and condemn the spread of misinformation. Khelif herself expressed concern about the harmful impact of these misconceptions on human dignity. Adding to the controversy, the International Boxing Association (IBA), which is suspended from the Olympics, disqualified both Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting from last year's world championships. The organization cited unspecified eligibility failures for the two boxers in the women's competition.
IOC Condemns Sex Tests imposed on Imane Khelif
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has denounced the arbitrary sex tests imposed on Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting by the International Boxing Association (IBA) as fundamentally flawed. The IOC has consistently defended both boxers since the start of the Paris Games.
Experts argue that the intense scrutiny faced by Khelif and Lin highlights a broader issue of disproportionate scrutiny and discrimination against female athletes of color, particularly in relation to sex testing and unfounded allegations of being male or transgender.
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