Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who recently won gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has filed a lawsuit over alleged cyberbullying during the games. The lawsuit reportedly names author JK Rowling and X owner Elon Musk as defendants.
Khelif’s victory in Paris came despite being disqualified from last year’s World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to reported gender eligibility issues. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruled her eligible to compete, defending her right to participate.
Following her win, Khelif stated, “I am fully qualified to take part in this competition. I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman. I have lived as a woman. I competed as a woman – there is no doubt about that.”
The lawsuit filed by Khelif’s lawyer Nabil Boudi includes comments made by Musk and Rowling on social media regarding the boxer. Rowling was quoted as saying Khelif was “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head” after a fight, while Musk shared a post suggesting that “men don’t belong in women’s sports.”
The Paris public prosecutor’s office has launched a cyberbullying probe following a complaint by Khelif, although it is uncertain whether Musk and Rowling will face prosecution under French law.
Despite facing controversy and cyberbullying, Khelif’s victory in the women’s boxing event at the Olympics has been celebrated. The IOC president Thomas Bach emphasized the importance of allowing women to compete in women’s competitions, supporting Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, who also faced eligibility issues.
The lawsuit filed by Khelif sheds light on the challenges faced by female athletes in the world of sports and the impact of cyberbullying on their careers. The case against Rowling and Musk highlights the need for accountability and respect in online discourse surrounding athletes and their achievements.
