Among critics, JK Rowling silent on social media for over 2 weeks amid Imane Khelif's Paris Olympics gold and subsequent lawsuit

After being named in Imane Khelif’s lawsuit, British author JK Rowling, amongst other critics, has been notably silent in her interactions on the internet. Rowling was one of the most vocal opponents to Khelif's participation in the Paris Olympics and was subsequently named in a complaint the Algerian filed in the French courts.

The controversy began with the IOC allowing Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to participate in their respective weight categories at the 2024 Games after both the boxers had previously been disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association over failed ‘gender tests’.

However, since the IOC does not recognize the IBA as a federation, it allowed the Algerian and Taiwanese to compete, stating that both boxers met the eligibility criteria to compete in the women's events. Despite this, a certain group of internet users remained unsatisfied, with many stating the two were trans athletes, and expressing outrage at their entry at the Olympics.

For Imane Khelif, the hate and abuse only increased after her opening round, where her opponent, Italy's Angela Carini, pulled out of the bout in just 46 seconds, saying that she had ‘never been punched so hard’. Many major personalities, including the likes of Rowling, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Logan Paul took to social media to criticize the 25-year-old.

In one post on X, the ‘Harry Potter’ author wrote,

“A young female boxer has just had everything she’s worked and trained for snatched away because you allowed a male to get in the ring with her. You’re a disgrace, your ‘safeguarding’ is a joke and #Paris24 will be forever tarnished by the brutal injustice done to Carini.”

In another post, she added,

“Could any picture sum up our new men’s rights movement better? The smirk of a male who’s knows he’s protected by a misogynist sporting establishment enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head, and whose life’s ambition he’s just shattered. #Paris2024.”

Despite the drama, Khelif chose to opt out of the conversation, going on to win gold in the welterweight category. However, after her victory, she proceeded to file a lawsuit against platform X, over “acts of aggravated cyber harassment” and both Rowling and Musk were named in the complaint.

Since the lawsuit, which was filed more than ten days ago, Rowling, otherwise vocal on her social media, has been notably silent on X, where she hasn't posted anything since August 8. For reference, before this, the author made over 20+ posts referring to Khelif in one week when the Algerian was competing at the Olympics. Outside of the author, the boxer's other critics have continued to voice their thoughts on social media, but have started away from the controversy centered around her and Lin Yu-ting.

Imane Khelif on the abuse she faced during the Paris Olympics

While internet users and the media crucified Imane Khelif as she boxed her way through the Paris Olympics, the Algerian herself chose to remain silent and focus only on her sport. She didn't partake in any press interactions during the competition and only opened up about the hate she faced after her gold medal victory.

In an interview with a local TV channel, the Olympic champion explained that the scrutiny affected her a lot, saying,

“This thing affected me, I'm not lying to you, it affected me. It affected me a lot, it hurt me a lot. I can't describe to you the amount of fear I had. I was afraid, but thank God, I was able to overcome this stage. Thank God all the people of Algeria and the Arab world knew Imane Khelif with her femininity, her courage, her will.”

For Imane Khelif, her next battle will likely be outside of the ring, as French prosecutors probe into her cyberbullying claim.