"Is that why she's the way she is?"— Internet reacts as JK Rowling black mold picture goes viral amid Imane Khelif controversy

Harry Potter author JK Rowling is making headlines this week after misgendering Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. On Thursday, July 31, 2024, Khelif won against Italian boxer Angela Carini at the Paris Olympic Games. However, she sparked debate for being one of two boxers permitted to compete after being disqualified last year for failing testosterone and gender eligibility tests.

Rowling, a vocal critic of the transgender movement, shared a tweet calling out Khelif and labeling her a man.

Amid her tweet, eagle-eyed social media users noticed the author's profile picture shows what appears to be black mold growing on the walls in her home. This prompted many to claim that the mold is causing her to be an outspoken critic of the trans community. One person tweeted:

Needless to say, the picture went viral, with many claiming the alleged mold was the reason for her recent comments. Here are some comments seen on X:

"jk rowling’s profile picture revealing visible black mold that is apparently growing up her walls is probably the greatest chekhov’s gun of all time," soul nate quipped.

"i’m 100% in on the theory that JK Rowling is the way that she is because there’s black mold in her house," one user commented.

"JK Rowling: perhaps I should work on a new book today The black mold growing up her walls: how about we transvestigate an Olympian instead," another wrote.

As the internet continued to joke about the development, some pointed out that mold is no excuse for bigotry.

"i don't mean to sound like i'm excusing bigots of their bigotry but jkr having a mold problem in her house would genuinely explain so much," another wrote.

"do i know that the “black mold” in jk rowling’s house was merely blurred wallpaper? yes. will i still spread the rumor that she has been mentally impacted by black mold? with great joy, yes," one said.

"JK Rowling: then, at age 53, Ron divorces Hermione to go follow his favorite wizarding band The Crumpty Dumpys. The black mold living on her walls: Feeeeeeeeed meeeeeee," @NeilNevins joked..

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International Olympic Committee reacts to backlash from JK Rowling and others

On Thursday, Imane Khelif's match against Angela Carini in the women’s 66 kg boxing round ended 46 seconds after Carini abandoned the fight. She later told reporters she had never felt a punch like the strikes she received from Khelif.

The bout sparked a discourse as Khelif was previously disqualified from competing at the 2023 International Boxing Association’s (IBA) World Boxing Championships for failing their eligibility requirements.

At the time, IBA shared a statement explaining that the athlete was not subject to a testosterone test but put through a separate test that showed she had a "competitive advantage" over her opponents. Later, Russian news agency TASS, citing IBA president Umar Kremlev, reported that Khelif was disqualified because she had "XY chromosomes" (typically possessed by men).

Soon, celebrities like Rowling, X head Elon Musk, and Oil London questioned the fairness of including Khelif in women's competition. Many even stated that the athlete was a man.

However, in a statement, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) explained:

"Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination. All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU). As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, the gender and age of the athletes are based on their passports."

The IOC further explained that the two athletes "have been competing in international boxing competitions for many years in the women’s category" and that the recent backlash against them is based entirely on the "arbitrary decision" by the IBA Secretary General and CEO.

"These two athletes (Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting) were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process."

IOC Spokesperson Mark Adams added that all competitors complied with the IOC's eligibility rules and that the controversy has gone beyond transgender issues.