Boxing star Imane Khelif breaks down in tears and blasts Elon Musk after gender controversy at Paris Olympics
CLIQUE
Boxing star Imane Khelif has taken aim at Elon Musk in an emotional interview following the recent gender controversy at the Paris Olympics.
The 25-year-old was thrust into the spotlight after beating Angela Carini in the first round, with the Algerian then proceeding to win gold.
However, her gender was scrutinised during the Games in France.
The discredited IBA claimed that she had previously failed two gender tests at the World Boxing Championships last year.
Boxing star Imane Khelif has taken aim at Elon Musk in an emotional interview following the recent gender controversy at the Paris Olympics.
CLIQUE
Yet Khelif has always insisted she was born female and, therefore, has every right to compete.
She has already filed a cyberbullying lawsuit with Paris prosecutors, with Musk's name mentioned in the files.
And Khelif, speaking to French outlet CLIQUE, has now blasted the billionaire and accused him of driving 'hate' in her direction.
"Elon Musk was one of the first to attack me during this hate campaign," she said.
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"He posted this video and it was retweeted.
"So, he was one of the first to have spread this buzz, this campaign against me."
Musk retweeted a post from American swimmer Riley Gaines. The post, which was aimed at Khelif, said: "Men don't belong in women's sports."
The billionaire then added his own message, simply saying the word 'absolutely'.
Khelif has accused people of 'hating' her for no reason. She also laid bare the impact the abuse has had on herself and her loved ones, too.
"I would say… you hate me but you don’t even know me," she continued.
"I don’t even know why you led this attack. You have been cruel to me, cruel to my family, to my mother.
"At that time, my mother was going to hospital every day.
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Boxing star Imane Khelif has accused Elon Musk of inciting 'hate' against her
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"So I don’t understand the behaviour of people today. God is my guide, I am a practising Muslim woman. I am a Muslim Arabic woman and I got through this moment.
"I hope I will be even stronger in the future and come back even more motivated."
Khelif's mother, Nasria, defended the boxing star after the gender controversy.
She insisted she has always been a girl and claimed Khelif was her 'role model' after inspiring her country.
Boxing star Imane Khelif won gold at the Paris Olympics despite her gender being scrutinised
PA
"My child is a girl. She was raised as a girl. Imane is a girl who has loved sport since she was six years old," she said.
"I will always be there for her. She's honoured the national flag. She is our role model."