Algerian lawyer Iman Khalifa The gold medal-winning boxer says she has asked Paris prosecutors to investigate online harassment she faced during the Olympics over her gender and attendance at the Games.
Lawyer Nabil Boudi said in a statement on Instagram that his firm had filed a complaint with the Paris prosecutor’s online hate unit. It was not immediately clear where the complaint would lead. The Associated Press reported Sunday that under French law, it would be up to prosecutors to decide whether an investigation is merited and who might be at fault.
Khalif faced a wave of negative attention on social media after winning her first bout in the 66-kilogram (145-pound) division with an unusually quick stoppage. Her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, was forced out of the bout within 46 seconds after receiving some heavy punches from Khalif, including a blow to the nose that left her complaining she could not breathe properly.
Khalif was classified as female at birth and the International Olympic Committee has repeatedly affirmed her eligibility to compete in the women’s division. But the knockout drew attention to a decision by the International Boxing Federation last year to disqualify Khalif and another boxer, Lin Yu TingFrom her world championships. (Lin won the gold medal Saturday night.)
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Olympic boxing champion Iman Khalif files complaint against online harassment
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