Imane Khelif slams Elon Musk for leading a “cruel” campaign against her during the Olympics

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has publicly criticised Elon Musk for spearheading what she describes as a “cruel” campaign during this summer’s Olympics. Despite winning a gold medal in the women’s welterweight category in Paris, Khelif found herself at the centre of a heated controversy surrounding her gender, which dominated headlines during the Games.

Khelif faced similar scrutiny in 2023, when she was disqualified from the World Boxing Championships for allegedly having “XY” male chromosomes, a claim that sparked global outrage. However, the International Boxing Association never presented any scientific evidence to support these allegations.

In an interview on French television, Khelif recounted how Musk, along with other high-profile figures, joined in with online harassment. Musk had retweeted a post suggesting men should not compete in women’s sports, indirectly referencing Khelif’s match against Italy’s Angela Carini in the round of 16.

“Elon Musk was one of the first to attack me during this hate campaign,” Khelif said emotionally. “He spread the rumor and led this cruel attack against me, my family and my mother, who was going to the hospital every day at the time.”

Despite the pain caused by these accusations, Khelif remained steadfast and attributed her strength and resilience to her faith. “I am a practicing Muslim woman and I got through this time with God’s guidance. I will come back stronger and more motivated,” she said.

Khelif’s Olympic success came despite constant challenges, as controversy surrounding her gender continued to dog her. However, her victory and perseverance have made her a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity.