Imane Khelif Files Harassment Complaint
Legal Action Taken Over Online Harassment
PARIS — Imane Khelif, an Olympic boxing champion, has lodged a legal complaint in France over a surge of online harassment, following a wave of criticism and baseless claims regarding her gender during the Paris Olympics. The complaint was confirmed by her lawyer on Sunday.
Khelif, who recently won gold in the women’s welterweight division and will be Algeria’s flag bearer in the closing ceremony, has become a prominent figure in Algeria and a symbol of success in women’s boxing.
Details of the Complaint
The legal action was initiated on Friday, with the complaint filed in the Paris prosecutor’s office’s specialized unit focused on combating online hate speech. According to Khelif’s lawyer, Nabil Boudi, the complaint alleges “aggravated cyber-harassment” directed at the boxer. Boudi described the harassment as part of a “misogynist, racist, and sexist campaign” against Khelif. It is now up to the prosecutors to determine whether an investigation will be launched. As per French law, the complaint does not specify an alleged perpetrator but leaves the identification to investigators.
Gender Identity Controversy
Khelif became an unintended figure in a broader debate about gender identity and regulations in sports following her first Olympic match. Her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, withdrew just seconds into their bout, citing injury. This incident triggered false online rumors that Khelif was either transgender or male, which led to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stepping in to defend her and condemn the spread of misinformation. Khelif remarked that the unfounded rumors “harm human dignity.”
Read also : LGBTQ Medal Count: Rainbow Athletes Shine at the Paris 2024 Olympics
IOC Official Also Targeted
Earlier, Kirsty Burrows, head of the IOC’s safeguarding and mental health unit, also faced online harassment and death threats after defending Khelif during a news conference in Paris. Burrows filed her complaint with French authorities, and the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed receiving it on August 4. The National Unit for the Fight against Online Hate is investigating the threats, which could result in serious legal consequences under French law, including prison sentences ranging from two to five years and fines between 30,000 and 45,000 euros.
Past Controversies in Boxing
Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting faced disqualification by the International Boxing Association (IBA) last year from the world championships due to unspecified eligibility issues for women’s competition. The IOC criticized these arbitrary sex tests, calling them flawed and has consistently defended both athletes since the beginning of the Paris Games.
Broader Implications
Experts suggest that the scrutiny faced by Khelif and Lin highlights the disproportionate discrimination against female athletes of color in relation to sex testing and the spread of false claims about their gender identity.
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For those looking for more sports news, we invite you to visit the “LGBT Sports News” section of Queer Vibes magazine. Just a click away, this dedicated category offers a wide range of articles, features and updates focused exclusively on LGBT athletes, sports-related events and issues. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, information, or just a connection to the LGBT sports community, our “LGBT Sports News” section is your go-to resource.
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