Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, gold medalist at the Paris Olympics and victim of attacks on her gender, is preparing legal action following the publication of articles purporting to reveal her medical file, according to an IOC press release dated from Wednesday November 6.
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“ We understand that Imane Khelif has taken legal action against people who commented on her situation during the Paris 2024 Olympic Gamesand that it is also preparing action in response to the latest press articles “, we can read in the IOC press release which will not make any comments “ while legal action is pending “.
The French-speaking online media “Le Correspondant” recently relaunched the controversy, affirming in an article published at the end of October that Khelif was a carrier of male XY chromosomes. The media says it relies on an unauthenticated report which would have been made by the Kremlin-Bicètre hospital in the Paris region and the Mohamed Lamine Debaghine hospital in Algiers.
Controversy over her gender
During the Paris Olympic Games, the boxer found herself unwillingly at the center of a controversy over her gender, led by conservative circles. The origin of this controversy is his exclusion from the world boxing championships contested in March 2023. According to the International Boxing Federation (IBA), Imane Khelif had then failed a test intended to establish his gender.
Not recognized by the Olympic world, the IBA refused to specify what type of test had been carried out, while the IOC had estimated that it could participate in the Games in the women’s tournament.
The Algerian boxer had been the victim on social networks of a campaign of hatred and disinformation, marked by racism, presenting her as a “ man fighting women.” In Paris, during the Olympics, the abandonment of the Italian Angelina Carini sparked controversy. From then on, the smear campaign against the Algerian woman took off.
Attacked by Giorgia Meloni, Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Matteo Salvini
In Italy, the president of the council Giorgia Meloni denounced an unfair competition. “ Athletes with masculine characteristics should not be allowed to participate in women’s competitions. This is not about discriminating against anyone, but about protecting the right of female athletes to compete on equal terms “, she declared. Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Matteo Salvini also attacked the Algerian woman. On August 1, the IOC published a long press release which explained that Imane Khelif respected the eligibility rules.
“ I am a strong woman with special powers. From the ring I sent a message to those who were against me », reacted Imane Khelif during Paris 2024.
In the past, Imane Khelif has always participated in women’s boxing tournaments, including during the 2020 Olympics, without her participation causing the slightest controversy.
“ The IOC is saddened by the attacks to which Imane Khelif is currently being subjected », added the Olympic body, specifying: “ As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, the athletes’ gender and age were determined based on their passport information. » An investigation was opened in August by the French justice system after a complaint for aggravated cyberharassment filed by the young woman.