Gymnastics Ireland is under intense scrutiny following a viral video that showed a young black gymnast being seemingly skipped during a medal ceremony while her white peers were awarded medals. The incident, which took place in March last year, has recently resurfaced and ignited a firestorm of criticism.
Prominent figures, including Olympic champion Simone Biles and Olympic silver medalist Jordan Chiles, condemned the incident, expressing their outrage over what they perceived as a racially motivated snub. Biles, who has been an advocate for addressing racism in sports, reached out to the young gymnast with a heartfelt video message of support.
Gymnastics Ireland initially claimed that the issue had been resolved through mediation in August. However, the young gymnast’s mother disputed this, stating that her family had not received a sincere apology. She firmly believed that her daughter was overlooked because of her race.
In response to the controversy, Gymnastics Ireland issued a public apology, acknowledging that the incident had not been intentional but was nonetheless unacceptable. The organization claimed that the official responsible for the oversight had promptly corrected the mistake and offered a personal apology to the gymnast and her family.
The video showed the young gymnast eagerly awaiting her medal while her peers received theirs, making the incident even more glaring. Critics noted that the official took the last remaining medal with them, leaving the young girl without recognition.
Gymnastics Ireland also revealed that the complainant, who is no longer a member of the organization, chose not to renew her membership. They expressed regret over the situation and clarified that they had engaged with the complainant’s family and the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation to address the issue.
Despite the organization’s attempts to resolve the matter, the incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many demanding accountability and justice for the young gymnast. Simone Biles emphasized the importance of unity in combating racism, asserting that all athletes, regardless of their appearance, can achieve greatness and should be treated equally.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts required to eliminate racism from the world of sports.
Follow “Simone Biles”
Written by:
Dana Sterling-Editor
