New Delhi : The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated on Wednesday that Algerian boxer Imane Khlaif, who has faced a controversy over her gender eligibility in her quest for an Olympic gold medal, is taking legal action against media reports related to leaked medical records.
Reports published this week in France claimed that the 25-year-old Khlaif has male chromosomes.
The gender controversy began in August at the Paris Olympics when Khlaif defeated Angela Carini in just 46 seconds in her opening match. The Italian athlete suffered a severe nose injury, began crying, and left the match, which led to widespread debate. This was followed by comments from various politicians and public figures, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling.
The IOC issued a statement saying, "We understand that Imane Khlaif has taken legal action against individuals who commented on her status during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and is preparing a lawsuit in response to the latest reporting. The IOC will not comment on media reports about unverified documents until legal proceedings are underway, or the origin of such documents is confirmed."
The IOC further stated that Khlaif had participated in international competitions in the women's category for several years, including the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, the International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships, and IBA-approved tournaments. The IOC expressed concern about the ongoing harassment faced by Khlaif, noting that she had been welcomed as a hero upon her return to Algeria after her Olympic victory. She has already filed a complaint regarding online harassment in France.
