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Unveiling Harassment: France Probes Cyberbullying Against Olympian Imane Khelif

Thursday 15 August 2024 - 11:10

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French authorities have initiated an investigation into alleged cyberbullying targeting Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif, following a gender controversy at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Paris public prosecutor’s office confirmed that the probe, launched on Tuesday, addresses "cyberharassment" after Khelif filed a complaint, as reported by France 24.

The uproar erupted when Khelif clinched victory in the women’s 66kg boxing final against China's Yang Liu, sparking widespread debate. Her legal complaint alleges involvement by high-profile individuals, including Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling, according to Variety.

Khelif’s attorney, Nabil Boudi, described the complaint as a "fight for justice," condemning the "misogynist, racist, and sexist" online harassment. The Central Office for Combating Crimes against Humanity and Hate Crimes in France is handling the investigation.

Previously, Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, the 57kg women’s boxing champion, were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships due to failing gender "eligibility tests" but were later cleared to compete in Paris.

Controversy began when Khelif swiftly defeated Italy’s Angela Carini in the round of 16, prompting questions about her gender. Accusations falsely labeled her as transgender, fueled by a far-right hate campaign in the US and Europe. The harassment was so severe that Khelif’s father publicly shared her birth certificate to confirm her gender.

Despite the backlash, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) supported Khelif’s participation, dismissing critics and advocating for a scientifically grounded approach to gender identification in sports.

Amidst the harassment, Khelif received widespread support, with many rallying behind her and celebrating her accomplishments.