Olympic boxing gold medalist Imane Khelif filed a legal complaint with French authorities last week requesting an investigation into an online harassment campaign questioning whether the Algerian fighter is really a biological female. The lawsuit, which was announced publicly by French prosecutors on Wednesday, names X owner Elon Musk and Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling among others who targeted Khelif with “misogynist, racist and sexist” remarks.
The controversy surrounding Khelif’s gender began after Italian boxer Angela Carini forfeited their match after just 46 seconds, claiming that she had never been hit so hard before. In 2023, Khelif was previously disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championships in India after eligibility tests determined the fighter had male XY chromosomes. Debate has raged over whether these tests were accurate or Khelif has a medical condition that can cause a female to test positive for male chromosomes.
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Amid the backlash, Musk reposted swimmer Riley Gaines’ statement that “Men don’t belong in women’s sports.”
Absolutely https://t.co/twccUEOW9e
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 1, 2024
At the same time, Rowling denounced Khelif’s victory as a win for the patriarchy that shattered a woman’s lifelong dreams.
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
“J. K. Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others,” attorney Nabil Boudi said at the time of the filing. “[Former President Donald Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”
“Imane has been greatly affected by this situation. She said ‘Why me?’” Coach Mohamed Chaoua said. “She has not surrendered to this campaign of abuse. She has given them a lesson in ethics.”
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
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