Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has filed a legal complaint for online harassment on the heels of winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics , her lawyer announced on Saturday.
Nabil Boudi divulged in an official statement: "The boxer Imane Khelif has decided to begin a new fight, a fight for justice, dignity and honour." The lawyer added that his client has filed the complaint alleging "aggravated online harassment" with prosecutors in Paris.
As for what Khelif hopes to accomplish with the official complaint, Boudi wrote: "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."
READ MORE: Imane Khelif sends defiant message after Olympic win despite gender controversy
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On Friday, Khelif secured a dominant win via unanimous decision over China’s Yang Liu in the women’s welterweight division final. In the leadup to the bout, the 25-year-old had come under intense scrutiny for previously failing a gender eligibility test at the 2023 Women’s World Championships.
Khelif first drew the ire of critics following her divisive win against Angela Carini. Upon taking several hits from her opponent, the Italian pulled herself from the fight after just 46 seconds before angrily shouting “this is unjust” and bursting into tears.
Carinia refused to shake hands with Khelif after the boxing match - something she later expressed regret doing - and told reporters that the Algerian's punches were some of the hardest she's ever taken.
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Hundreds of people online quickly voiced their disapproval of Khelif's presence at the Paris Games, asserting she shouldn't be allowed to compete as a female boxer. Some of her most prominent detractors were Elon Musk, JK Rowling and Donald Trump, among others.
Addressing the immense scrutiny and threats directed her way on the heels of defeating Carini, Khelif argued that the harsh treatment she'd received "harms human dignity," additionally calling for better treatment of athletes.
"I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects," she told SNTV in Arabic. "It can destroy people, it can kill people's thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying."
Boudi expressed a similar sentiment on Saturday, claiming that the "iniquitous harassment" Khelif had to endure in Paris would be remembered as "the biggest stain on these Olympic Games."
Khelif didn't allow the outside noise to impact her performance inside the ring, making quick work of Hungaria's Luca Anna Hamori and Thai boxer Janjaem Suwannapheng to advance to the Olympic gold medal fight against Liu.
Following her quarter-final victory, she defiantly stated: "I don't care what anyone is saying about me with the controversy. All that is important to me is that I stay on the level and give my people the performance they deserve. I know I'm a talented person and this is a gift to all Algerians."
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