The International Olympic Committee announced on Wednesday that Algerian Olympic champion Iman Khelif will take legal action against the media after reports of alleged leaks of her medical records. Recent French media claims suggested that Khalif, 25, has XY chromosomes, sparking heated public debate and comments from high-profile figures, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and author JK Rowling.
The sexual controversy surrounding Khalifa intensified after her quick 46-second victory over Angela Carini at the Paris Olympics, a match in which Carini withdrew due to a serious injury. The International Olympic Committee confirmed the legal steps taken by Khalifa against those commenting on her situation, and stated that it is preparing additional lawsuits in response to recent media reports. They expressed their sadness over the “abuse” to which Khalif was subjected.
Khalif, a well-known figure in Algeria, also filed a complaint in France about online harassment. Having previously competed in the women’s division at the Tokyo Olympics and several AIBA tournaments, Khalifa has the support of the International Olympic Committee, which has declined to comment further due to ongoing legal proceedings.