The gymnastics authorities in Ireland are responding to a video circulating on social media that shows an award ceremony last year in which a young Black gymnast is skipped over as medals are handed out.
Though the viral video shows roughly a dozen young girls lined up to receive medals at a gymnastics event in Dublin in March 2022. As an official goes down the line awarding decorations, she passes by the only Black child.
The gloomy event was recorded over a year ago, the video now spreading online is drawing renewed attention to the incident and prompting condemnations from many viewers, including U.S. gymnastics star Simone Biles.
When this video was circulating, her parents reached out. It broke my heart to see, so I sent her a little video,” Biles said in apost on X (formerly Twitter). “[T]here is no room for racism in any sport or at all !!!!”
Gymnastics Ireland issued a public statement of apology on 25th september, even though the event took place in March 2022.