The fake photo shows Imane Khelif on the cover of Vogue

Claim: Olympic boxer Imane Khelif is on the cover of Vogue Algeria

An August 30 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) includes a photo of a Vogue magazine cover featuring Algerian boxer Imane Khelif.

“First Algerian, Arab and African Woman to Win Olympic Gold Medal in Boxing” reads the headline in the supposedly “Algerian” edition of Vogue magazine.

The caption under the post reads: “Algerian Olympic boxing champion honored by Vogue magazine.”

The post was shared more than 100 times in six days. The Threads post included a similar image of Khelifa on a supposed Vogue cover.

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The cover image is a work that was not published under the Vogue brand. It is a piece of fan art that the creator believes is meant to celebrate Khelifa’s talent and cultural significance. There is no edition of Vogue Algeria.

Faked Vogue covers created by Algerian visual artist

Khelif won the gold medal in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics amid intense scrutiny and online harassment because of her gender, a topic that has drawn much attention in the U.S. because it invokes volatile gender politics. The Algerian boxer has filed a legal complaint with the Paris prosecutor’s office for “acts of aggravated cyberbullying.”

But Khelif was not featured as a celebrity on the Vogue cover. The image in the Facebook post was created by an Algeria-based visual artist and Khelif fan, who said it was made using AI and Photoshop applications.

“The artwork depicts Imane on the cover of Vogue magazine, symbolizing her legendary status and indomitable spirit,” artist Cheikh Boumsersseb said in an email. “She is not only the pride of Algeria and the Arab world, but also a beacon of hope for the entire globe.”

On Boumsersseb’s Instagram page you can see a series of digitally created Vogue magazine covers and other materials featuring Khelifa’s likeness.

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“To clarify, the artwork depicting Imane Khelif is a product of my imagination and is not intended to mislead anyone,” Boumsersseb said in the caption of one such post. “This artwork was created to celebrate Imane’s unique talent and cultural significance, reflecting my artistic vision.”

A review of the magazine’s website reveals there is no edition of Vogue Algeria.

The Facebook user who shared the post did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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