Imane Khelif Faces Backlash at Paris Olympics Amid False Transgender Claims

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has come under intense scrutiny during the Paris Olympics, with several high-profile figures, including Elon Musk, suggesting that she should not be allowed to compete in women’s boxing due to false claims that she is transgender. This controversy unfolded after Khelif’s opponent, Italian boxer Angela Carini, quit their Olympic boxing match after only 46 seconds, sparking widespread online protests.

The criticism escalated when American swimmer Riley Gaines shared a social media post protesting men being allowed to compete in women’s sports. Elon Musk responded in agreement, stating, “Men don’t belong in women’s sports.” However, Khelif, who eventually won the gold medal in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics, was born female and has always identified as such.

Khelif’s participation in the Paris Olympics followed her exclusion from the 2023 Women’s World Championships due to her inability to meet the gender eligibility criteria set by the International Boxing Association (IBA). Despite this setback, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) cleared the 25-year-old to compete in the Paris Games.

In a heartfelt interview on the French TV show CLIQUE, Khelif expressed her emotions over the harsh criticism she faced from figures like Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling. Khelif accused Musk of being “cruel,” stating that his remarks fueled a campaign of hate against her, which caused significant distress to her and her family.

“Elon Musk was one of the first to attack me during this hate campaign,” Khelif said. “You hate me, but you don’t even know me. You’ve been cruel to me and my family.”

Following the barrage of online abuse, Khelif filed a lawsuit in France against Musk, Rowling, and social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Her attorney, Nabil Boudi, emphasized that the lawsuit seeks accountability for the online harassment Khelif endured.

Despite the false claims and online hate campaign, Imane Khelif emerged victorious, winning gold in the Paris Olympics. Her resilience in the face of adversity has not only made her a champion in the ring but also a symbol of strength and perseverance for athletes worldwide.