Olympic Gold Medalist Imane Khelif Breaks Down Over Elon Musk’s Cruel Cyberbullying Campaign
In a heart-wrenching interview with French TV channel CLIQUE, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif opened up about the relentless hate she has endured from far-right groups and individuals, particularly focusing on the role of billionaire Elon Musk in fuelling the vicious attacks against her.
“You hate me, but you don’t even know me”
With tears in her eyes, Khelif expressed her disbelief at the cruelty directed towards her and her family. “I don’t even know why you led this attack,” she said, addressing her attackers. “You have been cruel to me, cruel to my family, to my mother. At that time, my mother was going to the hospital every day.”
The gold medalist, who proudly identifies as a practicing Muslim Arabic woman, has been the target of intense hate mobs driven by transphobia and racism. The attacks began after Khelif defeated Italian boxer Angela Carini in the first round of boxing at the Olympics, with Carini dropping out after being punched in the face.
Unfounded Accusations and Baseless Claims
Anti-trans bigots quickly accused Khelif of being either a trans woman or a cis man, basing their claims on an accusation made by a Vladimir Putin ally on Telegram earlier this year. However, Algeria does not allow individuals to transition, and Khelif’s family has confirmed that she was assigned female at birth. The International Olympics Committee has also verified her cisgender status.
The situation escalated when the Russia-based International Boxing Association disqualified Khelif after she defeated a Russian boxer, claiming she did not pass unspecified gender testing. However, the association has provided no proof of the testing and has been banned from recognition by the International Olympic Committee due to instances of corruption and scandal.
High-Profile Figures Join the Attack
Among the online mob attacking Khelif were author JK Rowling, fifth-place college swimmer Riley Gaines, and billionaire Elon Musk. Khelif described how Musk was one of the first to jump on the bandwagon, sharing posts on X from Riley Gaines claiming that she is a man.
In response to the cyberbullying, Khelif has filed a complaint in France, naming Rowling and Musk among many others.
Despite the hate and adversity, Khelif remains determined to come back stronger and more motivated than ever. “God is my guide,” she declared. “I am a Muslim Arabic woman. And I got through this moment. I hope I will be even stronger in the future and come back even more motivated.”
