The Paris Olympics 2024 has become embroiled in controversy following Algerian boxer Imane Khelif’s gold medal win. The dispute intensified when Khelif’s Italian opponent, Angela Carini, withdrew from their about less than a minute in, after enduring a series of punches. Carini, visibly upset, refused to shake hands with Khelif, further fueling the drama.
Khelif, who had previously faced disqualification from last year’s world championships due to gender eligibility issues, has now become the focus of online harassment. This has prompted her to take legal action against high-profile figures Elon Musk and JK Rowling.
According to Variety, Khelif has filed a criminal complaint in France, accusing both Musk and Rowling of participating in a campaign of online harassment against her. Nabil Boudi, Khelif’s Paris-based attorney, revealed that former US President Donald Trump might also be investigated due to his social media comments on the issue.
Statements from Musk, Rowling, and Trump
Elon Musk had amplified a tweet by American swimmer Riley Gaines, who criticized Khelif’s participation in women’s sports, saying, “Men don’t belong in women’s sports.” Musk endorsed this sentiment with his own retweet.
Absolutely https://t.co/twccUEOW9e
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 1, 2024
JK Rowling, known for her strong opinions on gender and sports, referred to Khelif in derogatory terms and expressed her disapproval on X (formerly Twitter). Rowling criticized the situation as a manifestation of male dominance in sports and shared an image of Carini in distress, further polarizing public opinion.
Could any picture sum up our new men’s rights movement better? The smirk of a male who’s knows he’s protected by a misogynist sporting establishment enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head, and whose life’s ambition he’s just shattered. #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Q5SbKiksXQ
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 1, 2024
Donald Trump also weighed in, declaring his intention to prevent “men” from competing in women’s sports, which added to the ongoing debate and scrutiny surrounding Khelif’s participation.
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Khelif’s Fight for Justice
Khelif’s legal action is framed as a fight for justice, dignity, and honor. Her lawyer emphasized that the complaint focuses on “aggravated online harassment” and aims to address what they describe as a misogynist, racist, and sexist campaign against her. The case will seek to uncover those responsible for the online attacks and hold them accountable for their actions.
Boudi criticized the harassment as the “biggest stain” on this year’s Olympics, underscoring the need for accountability and respect in the sporting world.
This legal battle not only highlights the personal struggles of Khelif but also raises important questions about the intersection of sports, gender, and public discourse in the digital age.
