Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has filed a legal complaint over online harassment following her gold medal win in the women’s welterweight division at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Khelif, who secured victory against Italy’s Angela Carini in just 46 seconds, has faced accusations online regarding her “unusual physique” for a female boxer.
The controversy follows her disqualification from the 2023 World Championships due to non-compliance with International Boxing Association (IBA) eligibility rules.
However, the IBA was stripped of its recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last year due to governance and financial issues.
Khelif‘s lawyer, Nabil Boudi, confirmed that the complaint was filed on Friday. The boxer, alongside Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, has been the target of online trolls and social media attacks.
In response to the harassment, Khelif stated emphatically, “I’m a woman, I was born a woman, I lived a woman. There’s no doubt about that.” She expressed her desire to change global perceptions, emphasizing the toll the baseless attacks have taken on her dignity.
Reflecting on her journey, Imane Khelif described her Olympic victory as a dream come true, particularly after the challenges of competing during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Tokyo Games.
She criticized the IBA, attributing their hostility towards her success, and stated that her victory sends a powerful message about her integrity and the resilience of Algerian women.