The Irish Gymnastics Federation apologised on Monday for the alleged racist behaviour of one of its officials towards a young black gymnast sidelined at a medal ceremony in March 2022.
“We would like to unreservedly apologise to the gymnast and her family for the upset that has been caused by the incident,” Gymnastic Ireland wrote in a statement on its website.
In a video published on social networks last week and filmed at a competition in Dublin in 2022, a Federation official ignores a black child lined up alongside other little gymnasts to whom she is presenting medals.
“What happened on the day should not have happened and for that we are deeply sorry,” Gymnastic Ireland continued in the statement.
The video was seen many times on social networks, provoking strong reactions such as that of US gymnastics star Simone Biles, who said she had sent a video of support to the young athlete.
“When this video was circulating, her parents reached out. It broke my heart to see, so I sent her a little video,” the four-time Olympic champion wrote on X (ex-Twitter), adding: "There is no room for racism in any sport or at all !!!!"
