Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has filed a legal complaint for online harassment in France after facing criticism and false claims about her sex during the Paris Olympics. Khelif became a hero in Algeria and gained global attention after winning gold. Her lawyer described the harassment as misogynist, racist, and sexist, targeting the boxer. The complaint was filed with a unit in the Paris prosecutor’s office for combating online hate speech, and prosecutors will decide whether to open an investigation.
Following false claims that Khelif was transgender or a man, the International Olympic Committee defended her and denounced those spreading misinformation. Khelif expressed that the misconceptions harmed her human dignity. Another official, Kirsty Burrows, who spoke in defense of Khelif, also faced online harassment and death threats. French authorities are investigating these cases, and the crimes, if proven, could result in prison sentences and fines.
Khelif and another boxer, Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, were disqualified from the world championships last year by the International Boxing Association due to alleged eligibility test failures for women’s competition. The IOC criticized the arbitrary sex tests imposed by the boxing association and has supported both boxers throughout the Paris Games. Experts note that the scrutiny faced by Khelif and Lin reflects disproportionate discrimination towards female athletes of color in terms of sex testing and false claims of being male or transgender.
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