Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has filed a legal complaint against online harassment following her gold medal win in the women’s welterweight division at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Khelif, who secured victory against Italy’s Angela Carini in just 46 seconds, has been the target of accusations online concerning her “unusual physique” for a female boxer.
This controversy arises after her disqualification from the 2023 World Championships due to non-compliance with International Boxing Association (IBA) eligibility rules. It’s worth noting that the IBA was stripped of its recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last year due to governance and financial issues.
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Khelif’s lawyer, Nabil Boudi, confirmed that the complaint was filed on Friday. The boxer, along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, has faced online trolling and social media attacks.
In response to the harassment, Khelif asserted, “I’m a woman, I was born a woman, I lived as a woman. There’s no doubt about that.” She emphasized her determination to change global perceptions and highlighted the toll these baseless attacks have taken on her dignity.
Reflecting on her journey, Khelif described her Olympic victory as a dream come true, especially after the challenges of competing during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Tokyo Games.
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The volume went up several notches to ear-splitting level when Khelif entered the arena on Friday in her red trunks and shirt for the last bout on a suffocating Parisian evening, the only breeze coming from the hundreds of flags being waved.
“Imane, Imane, Imane!” the crowd chanted and screamed.
Yang was even booed as she made her entrance.
Khelif, keeping her opponent at bay with her jab and taking control of the centre of the ring, landed an early left hook, soon followed by a right as she looked in total control.
She sent Yang to the ropes with a precise right hook at the start of the second round. Yang refused to back down but never found the right distance to threaten her opponent, who rode a wave of support on court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros.
The crowd cheered as Khelif’s corner carried her on their shoulders to the end of the stadium.
They roared even more when she jumped down and began shadow-boxing towards the stands to the tune of ‘Abdelkader’, from the cult album “1,2,3 Soleil” by three of the most famous French-Algerian singers: Cheb Khaled, Rachid Taha and Faudel.
It really had seemed as easy as ABC for Khelif as the Jackson Five song blared out over the speakers while the podium was built on the ring as another moment of celebration awaited.
The crowd started ululating, with the joyful high-pitched sound usually performed by women in the Arab world at weddings and celebrations reverberating through the arena before the Algerian anthem
Khelif then embraced the other three women on the podium in a scene of sheer joy.