Algerian Olympian Imane Khelif reportedly names J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk in cyberbully lawsuit

The lawsuit, which has garnered significant media attention, alleges that both Rowling and Musk engaged in cyber-harassment during Khelif's participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Khelif, who won gold in the women's 66-kilogramme boxing competition, faced a barrage of online abuse and accusations regarding her gender eligibility.

Despite being born female and not identifying as transgender or intersex, Khelif's participation in the Olympics was met with widespread controversy, particularly on social media platforms after Italian boxer Angela Carini abandoned her Olympic bout against her after 46 seconds.

The lawsuit, filed with French authorities, accuses Rowling and Musk of contributing to the cyberbullying through their public comments and social media posts.

Rowling allegedly posted a picture from Khelif's fight, accusing her of being a man and "enjoying the distress of a woman he's just punched in the head." Musk, on the other hand, shared a post from swimmer Riley Gaines, asserting that "men don't belong in women's sports," which he endorsed with his comment.

Khelif's lawyer, Nabil Boudi, confirmed that the lawsuit names both Rowling and Musk, along with other high-profile figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump. The Paris Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the allegations, focusing on cyber harassment, public insult, and incitement to discrimination.

The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by athletes, particularly women, in the digital age. Khelif's victory, which should have been a moment of triumph, has instead been overshadowed by a contentious debate over gender and sports.

The outcome of this lawsuit could set a significant precedent for how online harassment is addressed in the future.