Boxer Imane Khelif sues Elon Musk, JK Rowling after gender controversy

New Delhi: Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has filed a cyberbullying lawsuit, naming high-profile figures Elon Musk and JK Rowling, following a gender controversy that gained widespread attention during the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Olympics. The lawsuit, filed on Friday, accuses several individuals of "aggravated cyber-harassment" against Khelif. Her lawyer, Nabil Boudi, described the online attacks as part of a "misogynist, racist, and sexist campaign."

"JK Rowling and Elon Musk are among those named in the lawsuit," Boudi confirmed in a statement to Variety.

Origin of controversy

The controversy began when American swimmer Riley Gaines posted a photo of Khelif with the caption, "Men don’t belong in women’s sports." Elon Musk amplified the post by resharing it and adding the comment, “Absolutely.”

Absolutely https://t.co/twccUEOW9e

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 1, 2024

JK Rowling also weighed in, criticizing Khelif's participation in the Olympics. Rowling tweeted, "Could any picture sum up our new men’s rights movement better? The smirk of a male who knows he’s protected by a misogynist sporting establishment, enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head, and whose life’s ambition he’s just shattered."

Could any picture sum up our new men’s rights movement better? The smirk of a male who’s knows he’s protected by a misogynist sporting establishment enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head, and whose life’s ambition he’s just shattered. #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Q5SbKiksXQ

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 1, 2024

Gender eligibility dispute

Earlier this year, Khelif, 25, was disqualified from the women’s World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after reportedly failing a gender eligibility test. Despite this, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed her to continue competing in the Olympics.

The controversy deepened when Italy’s Angela Carini withdrew from her Round of 16 match against Khelif after just 46 seconds, claiming she had "never been hit so hard" in her life. The incident sparked further backlash against Khelif, but IOC President Thomas Bach defended her, stating that "women must be allowed to take part in women’s competitions."

Historic victory amidst controversy

Despite the ongoing controversy, Khelif made history as the first Algerian woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. She secured a decisive 5-0 victory over China’s Yang Liu in the final, following dominant performances against Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng and Hungary’s Luca Anna Hamori.

After her triumph, Khelif declared, "Now the whole world knows the story of Imane Khelif," signaling her determination to rise above the controversy and focus on her achievements.