- Khelif lawyer announces complaint about cyberbullying
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, following her Olympic victory, is reportedly engaged in a legal battle against hate messages on the internet. Nabil Boudi, who according to the French sports newspaper "L'Équipe" is working as her lawyer, published a press release on the X platform announcing a complaint against cyberbullying to the relevant department of the Paris public prosecutor's office.
The criminal investigation aims to identify who initiated and fueled the "misogynistic, racist, and sexist campaign," which will be remembered as "the biggest stain on these Olympic Games," the statement said. They will fight a legal battle for "justice, dignity, and honor."
Khelif's and Lin Yi-ting's (28) fights from Taiwan were accompanied by an emotionally charged gender debate during the Olympics, extending beyond the question of fair sporting competition and reaching the highest political circles. In the heated societal climate, both athletes faced many online attacks.
Support from human rights organizations
"The horrifying extent of online abuse against Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting is yet another deeply disturbing example of the toxic, sexist, and racist discourse that has harmed women in sport and society," said Stephen Cockburn of Amnesty International in a statement from the Sports & Rights Alliance. Representatives of other human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and ILGA World also supported the two athletes.
Both boxers were previously disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the IBA, which is not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), reportedly for not meeting participation criteria and having "competitive advantages" compared to other female participants. The IOC described it as a "random decision without proper procedure" and allowed Khelif and Lin to compete in Paris. The gender indicated in one's passport is a determining factor for eligibility in many sports, they explained.
Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer, has sought legal help from her lawyer Nabil Boudi to combat hate messages directed at her online, following her Olympic victory. Human Rights Watch and ILGA World are among the organizations that have expressed support for Khelif, expressing concern over the toxic and discriminatory discourse she and Lin Yi-ting, a Taiwanese boxer, have faced.
