Imane Khelif files official complaint after winning gold at Paris Olympics despite gender row

Imane Khelif

Imane Khelif has lodged a complaint with Paris prosecutors asserting 'aggravated online harassment' after winning gold at the Olympics on Friday

REUTERS
Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 11/08/2024

- 11:33

The 25-year-old secured gold on Friday with victory over Yang Liu on Friday

Imane Khelif has lodged a complaint with Paris prosecutors asserting 'aggravated online harassment' after winning gold at the Olympics on Friday.

The Algerian star's participation at the games was a big talking point this summer, with the 25-year-old's gender scrutinised online.


Khelif won gold on Friday, with the boxer powering her way to victory over Yang Liu.

Another star whose gender has been widely discussed, Lin Yu-Ting, secured her own gold medal on Saturday.

Imane Khelif

Imane Khelif has lodged a complaint with Paris prosecutors asserting 'aggravated online harassment' after winning gold at the Olympics on Friday

REUTERS

Khelif has now launched a legal battle against online harassment in the wake of the games and the treatment she received out in Paris.

Nabil Boudi, her lawyer, said in a press release: "The boxer Imane Khelif has decided to begin a new fight, a fight for justice, dignity and honour."

Boudi also said the complaint for 'aggravated online harrassment had been filed to Paris prosecutors'.

Khelif stated: “All that is being said about me on social media is immoral. I want to change the minds of people around the world."

JUST IN: Man Utd duo left furious with Andre Onana during Community Shield defeat to Man City

Boudi says the speculation over the boxer was 'fuelled by malicious individuals'.

He added: “The investigation will determine who was behind this misogynist, racist and sexist campaign but will also have to concern itself with those who fed the online lynching.”

The International Boxing Assocation, who have been discredited, said 'genetic testing shows that these are men'.

There is currently nothing to substantiate those claims.

READ MORE: Gabby Logan brands Olympics star 'selfish' in stinging attack live on BBC

Lin was asked about following in Khelif's footsteps after she won gold last night.

Yet the Taiwanese star kept her cards close to her chest by saying: “This is something I will discuss with my team.

"We will decide later what the next step will be.”

Lin also said she attempted to drown out the noise from outside, adding: "During the competition it’s important to shut myself off from social media and focus.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Imane Khelif

Imane Khelif hit out at her critics after winning gold at the Paris Olympics on Friday

REUTERS

"I heard some of the information through my coach but I didn’t pay too much mind to it.

"I was invited by the IOC to participate in the Games and this is what I focused on."

Khelif, meanwhile, hit back at her critics and insisted she was a woman.

"I am fully qualified," she said.

Lin Yu-ting

Lin Yu-ting followed in the footsteps of Imane Khelif by winning gold at the Paris Olympics

REUTERS

"I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived as a woman, I competed as woman - there is no doubt."

She added: "There are enemies of success of course. That gives my success a special taste because of these attacks."

You may like