Gold medalist, whose gender has come into question during the Olympics, discusses lawsuit against Musk and social media controversy in recent interview.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif | Photo: Mohd Rasfan/AFP

“He harbors hatred for me without even knowing who I am,” Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has said in a recent interview with French media, discussing her lawsuit against Elon Musk and X, formerly Twitter.

“Musk was the first to launch an attack on me during this ordeal. His cruelty extended not just to me, but to my family as well. My mother had to visit the hospital daily because of the stress this caused.” Khelif, who clinched gold at the Paris Olympics, has initiated legal proceedings over a firestorm questioning her gender identity.

Visibly emotional, Khelif opened up about the psychological toll of the experience. “The behavior of people today baffles me,” she said. “The impact on me was immense – it’s challenging to convey the level of fear I experienced. Ultimately, I managed to persevere, thanks to the support of numerous psychiatrists. As a Muslim woman, I’m hopeful that I’ll emerge from this ordeal stronger than before.”

The controversy at the heart of Khelif’s legal action unfolded six weeks ago during the Olympics. Social media platforms were set ablaze when rivals accused her of being male. The accusation was partly fueled by a failed testosterone test administered by the World Wrestling Federation – an organization currently locked in a dispute with the Olympic Committee. The situation quickly spiraled as influential figures, including Donald Trump and J.K. Rowling, weighed in with claims about Khelif’s gender identity.