Imane Khelif Calls Out Elon Musk for ‘Cruel’ Online Abuse During Paris Olympic Games

Imane Khelif, Algeria’s first Olympic gold medallist in women’s boxing, has publicly criticized Elon Musk for helping to fuel a campaign of online abuse against her during the Paris Olympic Games. Khelif, who made history by becoming the first Algerian boxer to win Olympic gold since 1996, faced harsh scrutiny over her participation, largely due to her disqualification from the Women’s World Championships the previous year for failing to meet the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) gender eligibility rules.

Despite being cleared to compete by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Khelif was subjected to relentless online harassment throughout the Games. The backlash intensified after her 46-second victory over Italy’s Angela Carini, with high-profile figures like Elon Musk, J.K. Rowling, and Donald Trump openly criticizing her. Musk, owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), shared a post from American swimmer Riley Gaines stating, “Men don’t belong in women’s sports,” to which Musk added, “Absolutely.”

In an emotional interview on French TV show CLIQUE, Khelif expressed her disappointment in Musk’s role in spreading the hate campaign. “Elon Musk was one of the first to attack me during this hate campaign,” Khelif said. She also mentioned the impact the online abuse had on her family, stating that her mother was hospitalized due to the stress of the situation.

Khelif emphasized her strength and faith, saying, “God is my guide. I am a practicing Muslim woman, and I got through this moment. I hope to come back even stronger and more motivated.”

Following her Olympic victory, Khelif filed a lawsuit against X, accusing the platform of facilitating aggravated cyber harassment. The lawsuit, which was filed under French law, names Musk and Rowling among others responsible for the online abuse. Khelif’s attorney, Nabil Boudi, stated that the lawsuit seeks to hold those involved accountable and ensure that an investigation is carried out.

Imane Khelif’s historic Olympic achievement has been overshadowed by the cruel online harassment she endured, with Elon Musk playing a significant role in amplifying the abuse. However, Khelif remains determined to stay strong and continue her career, while also seeking justice for the cyber harassment she faced. As this case moves forward, it highlights the growing concern over the role social media platforms play in enabling online abuse.