Simone Biles says she is “heartbroken” by a viral video of a black lady being handed over for a medal at a ceremony.
The four-time Olympic champion stated “there is no room for racism in any sport” after the clip circulated on social media.
The video exhibits a line of kids being awarded medals however the one black lady pictured didn’t obtain one.
The incident occurred at a Gymstart occasion in Dublin in March 2022, however the video re-emerged in latest days and has been watched by tens of millions on social media, drawing widespread criticism.
Biles noticed the video and stated it “broke my heart”.
Gymnastics Ireland issued a press release saying they obtained a grievance alleging racist behaviour in March 2022 from the mother and father of the lady.
It stated there was impartial mediation resulting in a “resolution agreed by both parties in August 2023”.
As a part of Gymnastics Ireland’s investigation into the incident, the official concerned “expressed deep regret for what they described as an honest error”.
The organisation stated a written apology from the official was issued, including that the lady did get her medal after the ceremony.
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However, the Irish Independent on Sunday, quoting the lady’s mom, stated she believes Gymnastics Ireland has didn’t publicly apologise and he or she has taken the matter to the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation in Switzerland.
The newspaper additionally reported that the household believed their daughter was ignored on the ceremony as a result of she was black.
“We are often the only black family at gymnastics events and this has been very hurtful for us,” the mom advised the newspaper.
“Now eight million people have seen the video. From Pakistan to Ethiopia they can see this was wrong but Gymnastics Ireland still can’t accept it and say sorry.”
Source: information.sky.com”