Olympic boxing gold medalist Imane Khelif, representing Algeria in the women's welterweight division, has lodged a legal complaint in France for online harassment over her gender during the Paris Games. Khelif's lawyer confirmed the filing of the complaint, highlighting the disturbing nature of the attacks against her.

The controversy surrounding Khelif stemmed from an alleged failed gender test conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA) in 2023. The test was carried out after Khelif's victory over a Russian opponent, and the grounds for the test remain unspecified. It is important to note that the IBA is not associated with the Olympics and has faced criticism regarding its ties to Russia.

Despite being listed as female on her passport and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) dismissing the validity of the IBA's sex tests, Khelif became a target of a relentless online campaign. Described as "misogynist, racist, and sexist," the harassment against her has prompted her to take legal action against those responsible.

In a show of solidarity, Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, who also faced similar allegations over her gender, has been defended by the IOC alongside Khelif. Lin secured the gold medal in the featherweight division during the Paris Games, further igniting the discussion on gender testing protocols in sports.

The complaint, filed with a specialized unit in the Paris prosecutor's office, accuses the harassers of "aggravated cyber-harassment." Prosecutors will now consider opening an investigation into the matter. This development comes in the wake of Kirsty Burrows, the official responsible for safeguarding and mental health at the IOC, already filing a complaint over alleged death threats and online harassment she received after speaking in favor of Khelif.

The National Unit for the Fight against Online Hate has initiated an investigation into offenses including death threats, cyberbullying, and public provocations targeting Khelif. Their objective is to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable for their actions.

Imane Khelif's bravery in speaking out against the torment she endured serves as a reminder of the challenges female athletes face both on and off the field. The incident also highlights the pressing need for better measures to protect athletes from cyberbullying and harassment in the digital realm.

As the legal process unfolds, the sporting community and authorities hope that justice will prevail, and incidents like these will be effectively addressed to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all participants in future Olympic events.