Renowned author J.K. Rowling has maintained a notable silence on social media since being named in a legal complaint by Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who alleged facing online harassment during the recently concluded 2024 Olympics in Paris. This departure from Rowling's usually outspoken presence online has raised eyebrows among her followers.

Rowling's last activity on social media was two weeks ago, on August 7th, when she posted a series of nine tweets, including one that seemingly addressed the gender controversy surrounding Khelif. In the tweet, Rowling wrote, "For the record, bombarding me with pictures of athletic women to 'teach' me that women don't all look like Barbie is like spamming me with pics of differently-shaped potatoes to prove rocks are edible. I can still see the difference, and you look frankly bonkers."

The controversy surrounding Khelif began after she defeated Angela Carini in the opening-round bout at the Paris Olympics. Carini conceded the fight after just 46 seconds, sparking accusations from figures such as Rowling and Elon Musk that Khelif was a man competing in a women's sport. Khelif, in a post-Olympic interview, expressed the impact the accusations had on her emotionally, saying, "Elon Musk, [Donald] Trump, this thing that affected me, I'm not lying to you, it affected me. It affected me a lot, it hurt me a lot."

According to reports, Khelif had faced allegations of failing a gender test at an International Boxing Association competition in 2023. However, despite the scrutiny, Khelif went on to win the gold medal in the 66kg boxing division at the Paris Olympics.

Rowling took to social media once again following Khelif's victory over Carini, writing, "The idea that those objecting to a male punching a female in the name of sport are objecting because they believe Khelif to be 'trans' is a joke. We object because we saw a male punching a female."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) defended its decision to allow Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, who also faced questions regarding gender, to participate in this year's Summer Games. Khelif, listed as female on her passport, has endured considerable online scrutiny since her Olympics debut.

Imane Khelif's boxing coach, Mohamed Chaoua, spoke about the impact on her, noting that she has faced significant challenges. However, he praised her resilience, saying, "She has not surrendered to this campaign (of abuse). She has given them a lesson in ethics."

As J.K. Rowling remains silent amid the legal complaint, the influence of celebrities and public figures in matters of gender and sport remains a topic of intense debate. The aftermath of the Paris 2024 Olympics continues to shed light on issues surrounding gender equality and inclusivity in the field of sports.