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Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who made history by winning Olympic gold despite a controversy over her gender eligibility, is now taking legal action against media outlets that have published leaked medical records. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed Khelif's legal actions on Wednesday, stating that she has filed a complaint in France for online harassment and is preparing a lawsuit in response to the latest reporting.The gender controversy surrounding Khelif erupted during the Paris Games in August when she defeated Angela Carini in just 46 seconds in her opening bout. Carini, visibly distressed, abandoned the fight after suffering a severe nose injury. The incident sparked a heated debate, with politicians and celebrities, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and "Harry Potter" author JK Rowling, weighing in on the matter.According to reports published in France this week, Khelif has XY, or male, chromosomes. However, the IOC emphasized that Khelif has competed in the women's category in international competitions for many years, including at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and at the International Boxing Association (IBA) world championships and IBA-sanctioned tournaments.The IOC expressed its concern over the abuse that Khelif has been subjected to, stating that it "will not comment while legal action is ongoing, or on media reports about unverified documents whose origin cannot be confirmed."Khelif, who was hailed as a hero upon her return to Algeria after her Olympic triumph, has previously faced online harassment. She has now taken legal action to protect her privacy and reputation.The ongoing legal proceedings highlight the complex and sensitive nature of gender eligibility in sports. The IOC has established guidelines for determining an athlete's eligibility based on their sex, but these guidelines have been challenged in recent years as the understanding of gender identity and biology has evolved.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has emphasized the importance of allowing women to participate in women's events at the Olympics, amidst controversy surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khalif.Khalif, who failed gender eligibility and testosterone tests, has advanced to the gold medal round in the women's 66 kg boxing at the Paris Olympics. IOC President Thomas Bach stated that women should be permitted to compete in women's events, citing the unreliability of sex tests and human rights concerns."We had so-called sex tests until 1999, but science told us they were not reliable anymore," Bach said. "These tests can be against human rights because they are too intrusive."Khalif's controversial win over Angela Carini in the opening round of the women's 66 kg boxing has sparked criticism from prominent figures such as J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk, who questioned her gender. However, the IOC has defended Khalif's right to compete, along with another boxer, Lin Yu-ting, who also faced scrutiny for failing an eligibility requirement.The IOC emphasized that all athletes participating in the boxing tournament comply with eligibility and medical regulations. It also noted that the athletes in question had been subjected to an arbitrary decision by the International Boxing Association (IBA)."These two athletes have been competing in international boxing competitions for many years in the women's category, including the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020," the IOC said. "They were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA."The IOC expressed its commitment to protecting the human rights of all athletes participating in the Olympic Games and condemned the abuse that Khalif and Lin Yu-ting have received.