JK Rowling and Elon Musk are among the public figures named in Olympian شlawsuit against X, the social media website formerly known as Twitter.
Khelif’s presence at the 2024 Olympics in Paris wound up generating a lot of conversation due to false claims and misinformation about her sex while competing in the women’s boxing. This conversation became exacerbated even further when public figures like Rowling weighed in, particularly after the Harry Potter author posted a photo of Khelif in competition with Italian boxer Angela Carini, falsely accusing the former of being a “male… enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head”.
The Algerian gold medallist, who identifies as neither transgender nor intersex, filed a criminal complaint to French authorities for “acts of aggravated cyber harassment” earlier this week, with her lawyer confirming to Variety that both Rowling and Musk are named due to their posts, “among others”. Despite the controversy, Khelif eventually emerged triumphant in the women’s boxing, picking up the gold medal in the welterweight event last week.
She was seen celebrating her victory alongside her fellow champions during Sunday night’s closing ceremony at the Stade de France in Paris.
Khelif’s complaint was filed Friday with a special unit in the Paris prosecutor’s office for combating online hate speech, alleging “aggravated cyber-harassment” targeting Khelif, lawyer Nabil Boudi said. In a statement, he described it as a “misogynist, racist and sexist campaign” against the boxer. Boudi said that although the complaint mentions names, “What we’re asking is that the prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary. If the case goes to court, they will stand trial.”
On Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), Rowling referred to the boxer as a “male” and accused her of “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head, and whose life’s ambition he’s just shattered.” Outrage exploded following Angela Carini’s withdrawal after 46 seconds in her round-of-16 bout against Khelif.
The Italian had launched a tearful diatribe, first stating, “This is not right,” and then claiming that she had “never been hit so hard” in her life.
Khelif said that by winning gold she sent the IBA a message about “dignity and honour.”
“Now the whole world knows the story of Imane Khelif,” said the Algerian. “It’s a dream for every athlete. If I qualify or not? If I’m a woman or not? I made many statements in the media. I’m fully qualified, I’m a woman, I was born a woman, I lived a woman, there’s no doubt about that. “These people [who claim I am not], they are the enemies of success, it’s what I call them, it gives my success a special taste because of these attacks.
“… I hope that people will commit to the Olympic charter and its values. We’re here to perform to our audience and families. I hope we will not see similar attacks in these Olympics.”