Following her triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is shifting her focus from the boxing ring to the courtroom to combat online harassment, her legal team has announced.
In a recent press statement, Nabil Boudi, Khelif’s lawyer, declared, “Imane Khelif is embarking on a new battle for justice, dignity, and honor.” Boudi confirmed that Khelif has filed a formal complaint with Paris prosecutors, citing “aggravated online harassment” as the grounds for the legal action.
Boudi further stated that, “The probe will seek to uncover those responsible for this misogynistic, racist, and sexist campaign, as well as those who contributed to the online lynching.” Khelif’s Olympic performance was notable for her unanimous decision victory over China’s Yang Liu in the women’s welterweight final. Despite her success, Khelif faced substantial criticism, particularly following an earlier gender test controversy at the 2023 Women’s World Championships.
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The backlash against Khelif intensified after her victory over Italy’s Angela Carini, who reacted emotionally to the defeat. Carini, who left the ring in tears and expressed that the result was “unjust,” later expressed regret for not congratulating Khelif. She noted that the force of Khelif’s punches was among the most severe she has experienced in her career.
The controversy surrounding Khelif has drawn widespread attention, with prominent figures such as Elon Musk, JK Rowling, and Donald Trump publicly criticizing her participation in the women’s events at the Paris Games.
Amidst a wave of condemnation and threatening messages, Khelif has defended her stance, emphasizing that such negative scrutiny “harms human dignity” and calling for a more respectful approach toward athletes.
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