Algerian Olympic gold medallist Imane Khelif files complaint in Paris for “cyberbullying”

International Sport

Algerian Olympic gold medallist Imane Khelif files complaint in Paris for “cyberbullying”

On August 9, 25-year-old Imane Khelif won the -66 kilogram final at the Paris Olympics.

Gold medal winner Imane Khelif of Algeria poses on the podium of the women’s 66kg final. (Photo Prensa Libre: EFE)

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, a gold medal winner at the Olympic Games, has filed a complaint in Paris for “aggravated cyberbullying” after being the victim of a controversy over her gender, announced Nabil Boudi, the lawyer of the champion who returned to Algeria on August 12 with the Olympic team.

“After winning a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Boxer Imane Khelif decided to lead a new fight: that of justice, dignity and honor“, wrote his lawyer on his official page on the social network X.

Boudi said the boxer, who was the victim of an intense controversy over her gender and her participation in the Games, “filed (August 9) a complaint for aggravated acts of cyberbullying” with the Paris prosecutor’s office.

“The criminal investigation will determine who started this misogynistic, racist and sexist campaign, but it will also have to focus on those who fueled this digital lynching,” added the lawyer, who considered that “the unjust harassment suffered by the boxing champion will continue to be the biggest stain on these Olympic Games.”

On the evening of August 9, 25-year-old Imane Khelif won the -66 kilogram final at the Paris Olympics. Three years after their presence at the Tokyo Gameswhere his participation had not raised any controversy.

The Algerian had been disqualified from last year’s world championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after failing a dubious eligibility test for women’s competitions.

In 2023, the IOC took the unprecedented step of permanently banning the IBA from the Olympic Games, following years of concerns about its governance, competitive fairness and financial transparency.

IOC President Thomas Bach had to defend in a press conference during the competition that “there was never any doubt” that Khelif and fellow -57kg finalist Lin Yu-ting at these Olympics (both disqualified by the IBA) were born, raised and compete as women.