Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who garnered significant attention at the Paris Olympics, is making headlines once again. This time, she is pursuing legal action against several high-profile figures for cyberbullying. Among those named in the lawsuit are J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump, accused of spreading harmful and false information about her on social media.
Khelif’s legal team claims that the attacks she endured were not merely personal but reflect a broader issue affecting athletes globally. The controversy erupted following Khelif’s 46-second victory over Italy’s Angela Carini, which stirred up a storm of discussion on social media. Prominent figures including Rowling, Musk, and Trump questioned Khelif’s gender, amplifying the controversy.
Reports indicate that Khelif’s legal team has filed a lawsuit accusing these influential individuals of severe cyber harassment. The suit alleges that they used their substantial platforms to disseminate harmful misinformation about Khelif. Nabil Boudi, Khelif’s lawyer in Paris, stated, “We demand that the prosecution investigates not only these individuals but also anyone else deemed necessary.”
At the time of the incident involving Khelif and Carini, J.K. Rowling, a vocal critic of transgender rights, tweeted to her 14.2 million followers criticizing Khelif. Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), retweeted a post by swimmer Riley Gaines endorsing the sentiment that “men don’t belong in women’s sports.” Former US President Donald Trump also weighed in, stating, “I’m keeping men out of women’s sports!”
The lawsuit aims to hold these figures accountable and address the broader issue of cyber harassment faced by athletes.