Olympic Champion Defends Herself Against Vicious Online Attacks
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has filed a legal complaint in response to relentless online harassment following her gold medal victory in the women’s welterweight boxing at the Paris Olympics. Khelif, who defeated China’s Yang Liu in the final, has faced intense scrutiny and malicious trolling since her match with Italian boxer Angela Carini, leading to a gender controversy.
On Friday, August 10, Khelif officially lodged a complaint against the hateful comments questioning her gender after her Olympic triumph. Her lawyer, Nabil Boudi, confirmed the legal action, stating that a formal complaint had been filed to address the online harassment. Speaking out about the ordeal, Khelif declared, “All that is being said about me on social media is immoral. I want to change the minds of people around the world.”
Khelif, who has long dreamed of becoming an Olympic champion, expressed her pride in her achievement, stating, “For eight years, this has been my dream, and I’m now the Olympic champion and gold medalist.” Despite the negative attention, she remained resolute, saying, “That also gives my success a special taste because of those attacks. We are in the Olympics to perform as athletes, and I hope that we will not see any similar attacks in future Olympics.”
Khelif’s legal action marks a significant stand against the online harassment
The gender controversy surrounding Khelif intensified after her opponent, Carini, withdrew from their match citing health concerns and remarked tearfully, “I have never felt a punch like this.” This statement fueled speculation and unfounded allegations against Khelif, which she has strongly denied.
Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Li Yu-ting were among two athletes allowed to compete in the Olympics after being disqualified from last year’s International Boxing Association (IBA) Women’s World Championship due to failing the testosterone and gender eligibility test. However, Khelif, who has lived as a woman her entire life, firmly asserted her identity, stating, “I’m fully qualified to take part in this competition. I’m a woman like any other woman. I was born as a woman, I live as a woman, and I am qualified,” shortly before securing her gold medal.
Khelif’s legal action marks a significant stand against the online harassment and gender-based scrutiny she has endured, as she continues to advocate for respect and recognition as an Olympic champion.