Subscribe

0

Advertisment
Women At Olympics Sport

Olympics Gender Row: Imane Khelif Names JK Rowling, Elon Musk In Cyberbullying Lawsuit

Imane Khelif, an Olympic gold medallist boxer from Algeria, was at the centre of a controversy over speculations that she allegedly failed a gender eligibility test.

author-image
Tanya Savkoor
Updated On
New Update
Imane Khelif gender row

Italy's Angela Carini felt the match against Imane Khelif was unfair | Images: @Schizointel, X

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics as she defeated China's Yang Lui in the women's 66kg final on August 9. She became the first boxer from Algeria to win a gold medal at the Games. The win is particularly emotional for Khelif, who has been at the centre of controversy since July 31 after a tournament that lasted 46 seconds stirred speculations about her gender and sexual identity. Italy's Angela Carini, allegedly bowed out of the pre-quarterfinal match as Khelif's strong blow left her nose injured. 

Advertisment

According to a report in the Associated Press, the International Boxing Association (IBA), which has been banned from the Olympics since 2019, revealed that the Algerian had allegedly failed a gender eligibility test in 2023, sparking global outrage and rumours that Khelif was a "biological male".

After her victory, Imane Khelif filed a criminal complaint for online harassment against many public figures who spread misinformation about her gender. These include author JK Rowling and billionaire Elon Musk among others, according to her attorney, Nabil Boudi. 

What Is The Issue?

A boxing match which usually lasts three minutes ended in 46 seconds on July 31, as Angela Carini refused to continue after her nose was injured. The Italian knelt and sobbed in the boxing ring as she lost her qualification for the quarterfinals to Algeria's Imane Khelif.

After her defeat, Carini spoke to the media saying. "I have a big pain in my nose and I said, 'Stop'. It's better to avoid keeping going. My nose started dripping (with blood) from the first hit," she said. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke up about the matter, saying the match was "not on equal footing."

Advertisment

The match has stirred speculations regarding Khelif's qualification for the women's tournament. The IBA claimed that in 2023, Khelif was disqualified hours before her final match at the women's World Championships in New Delhi, after she was found to have excessive testosterone in her system.

Umar Kremlev, Amateur Boxing President, told Russian news agency TASS, "DNA tests of two boxers proved they have XY chromosomes and were thus excluded."  In 2024, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reportedly allowed Khelif and another boxer, Taiwan's double world champion Lin Yu-ting, who had allegedly failed the gender eligibility tests at the World Championships, to compete in the Paris Games. 

IOC President, Thomas Bach, denied the 'transgender' allegations and said in a statement, "Let's be very clear here, we're talking about women's boxing. Everyone competing in the women's category is complying with competition eligibility rules. They are women in their passports and it's stated in there that they are female. We will not take part in a sometimes politically motivated cultural war."

Meanwhile, Algerian leaders have reportedly denied allegations that Imane Khelif is a biological male, trans or intersex. The Islam-dominated country's Olympic committee said the speculations are a "malicious and unethical attack directed against our distinguished athlete, Imane Khelif, by certain foreign media".

Taiwanese authorities have also defended Yu-ting's qualifications. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said, "Yu-ting's performances have inspired many Taiwanese players and united Taiwanese people. Now that she is once again on the international stage, we should stand united and cheer for her."

Imane Khelif Files Lawsuit

Advertisment

Imane Khelif filed a lawsuit on August 10 against several personalities who allegedly badmouthed her on social media. Paris-based attorney Nabil Boudi told Variety, "The boxer Imane Khelif has decided to begin a new fight, a fight for justice, dignity and honour," filing a complaint for "aggravated online harassment."

Boudi added, "JK Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others." He also said that former US President Donald Trump would be part of the investigation. "Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution," he said. 

The lawyer added, "The investigation will determine who was behind this misogynist, racist and sexist campaign, but will also have to concern itself with those who fed the online lynching." He said that the "iniquitous harassment" against Khelif will be "the biggest stain on these Olympics."

Italian Opponent Apologises

Amid the controversy, Angela Carini attempted to clear the air and said that she wanted to apologise to Khelif. "All this controversy makes me sad," Carini told the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. "I'm sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision."

Carini clarified that she stepped back from the match because she was injured and did not intend to cause any harm to Khelif's reputation. "It wasn't something I intended to do. Actually, I want to apologise to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke."

Advertisment

The 25-year-old also said that she would like to "embrace" Khelif amid the barrage of speculations against the Algerian. "It could have been the match of a lifetime, but I had to preserve my life as well in that moment," Carini said. The Italian athlete has reportedly been assured of $100,000 (£78,000) from the IBA, which is the prize money it is offering gold medallists at the Games.

Imane Khelif Issues Statement

Khelif broke the silence about the gender row in an interview with SNTV, a partner of The Associated Press on August 4. " After the media frenzy and after the victory (against Hungary's Anna Luca Hamori), there was a mix of joy and at the same time, I was greatly affected, because honestly, it wasn’t an easy thing to go through at all. It was something that harms human dignity.”

Speaking in Arabic, she said, “I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects... It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirits and minds. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.”

Khelif also expressed hope that she would win the gold medal at the Olympics and make her nation and her parents proud. “I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope that they weren’t affected deeply. They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response.” 

Khelif also thanked the IOC for their support. "I know that the Olympic Committee has done me justice, and I am happy with this remedy because it shows the truth. “I don’t care about anyone’s opinion. I came here for a medal, and to compete for a medal. I will certainly be competing to improve (and) be better, and God willing, I will improve, like every other athlete.”

Khelif Not Biological Male, Assert Parents

Imane Khelif's parents in Algeria have also issued their statements to 'prove' that their daughter is a biological female. "My child is a girl. She was raised as a girl. She's a strong girl. I raised her to be hard-working and brave. She has a strong will to work and to train,” her father, Omar Khelif stated in an interview with Sky News.

He added that the controversy regarding her sexual identity is “immoral” and “unfair”. Omar Khelif urged his daughter to bring a gold medal for her nation and shut out all her critics. “The Italian opponent she faced was unable to defeat my daughter because my daughter was stronger and she was softer,” he added. “I tell her to prove them wrong in the ring and I hope that she will honour Algeria and Arabic countries and win the gold medal."

IBA's Statement

The International Boxing Association (IBA) in a statement that Khelif initially appealed the decision of the IBA's ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but later withdrew it during the process, making their decision legally binding. The Association has been barred from the Olympics since 2019 over financial transparency issues.

The IBA added, "The IOC's differing regulations on these matters, in which IBA is not involved, raise serious questions about both competitive fairness and athletes' safety. For clarification on why the IOC permits athletes with competitive advantages to compete in their events, we urge interested parties to seek answers directly from the IOC."

Global Reactions Elevate Controversy

Several public figures have shared their opinion on the issue. Italian PM Meloni told the media after Carini's defeat, "I think athletes who have male genetic characteristics should not be admitted to women's competitions. And not because you want to discriminate against someone, but to protect the right of female athletes to be able to compete on equal terms."

'Transgender' Allegations

kangana
Kangana Ranaut, MP of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, put up an Instagram story

Supporting Khelif

 

2024 Paris Summer Olympics Olympics 2024 Gender Debate Angela Carini Imane Khelif boxing in Olympics
Advertisment