Imane Khelif takes legal action over harassment and gender dispute

In her filing Olympic gold medallist describes social media criticism as immoral and aims to shift global views

PARIS:

Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer embroiled in a gender dispute at the Paris Olympics, has lodged a formal legal complaint, alleging online harassment, according to her lawyer on Saturday. Khelif, who secured the gold medal in the women’s welterweight category on Friday, has been in the spotlight alongside Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, with their situation sparking widespread debate and dominating social media discussions.

Her lawyer, Nabil Boudi, confirmed the complaint was filed on Friday. Khelif stated, "What is being said about me on social media is immoral. I want to change global perceptions."

Khelif, who triumphed over China's Yang Liu to claim the welterweight Olympic gold, made a powerful statement about her identity amid the ongoing controversy. She is the first Algerian woman to win an Olympic boxing title and the first Algerian boxer to secure gold since Hocine Soltani in 1996. Women’s boxing has been an Olympic event since London 2012.

Reflecting on her achievement, Khelif, 25, expressed her joy: "This is my dream. Eight years, my dream. I’m an Olympic champion, gold medallist. I’m very happy. Eight years, no sleep. Eight years, tired. Now I’m Olympic champion. I’m very happy. I want to thank all the people who came to support me — people from Algeria and all the people in Paris. This gold medal is the best response to the fierce campaign against me."

Addressing the controversy, Khelif said at a press conference: "I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman and have lived as a woman, but there are those who cannot accept my success."

Her opponent, Yang Liu, responded graciously, saying: "I’m happy for her. I respect everyone and will learn from her."

Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng and Taiwan’s Chen Nien-chin both received bronze medals.

Khelif and Lin were disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) from the 2023 World Championships after a gender test deemed them ineligible. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is using eligibility rules from the 2016 and 2021 Olympics, which do not include gender testing.

Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting participated in Paris after the IOC stripped the IBA of its governing body status in 2023 and assumed control of the boxing events. The IOC dismissed the IBA-ordered gender tests as arbitrary and invalid, a position supported by Human Rights Watch on Friday.