A botched children’s medal ceremony lead to a messy series of events involving various organisations: Gymnastics Ireland; Sport Ireland; Sports Against Racism in Ireland
“Irish gymnastics body apologies after black girl is shunned at ceremony.” The New York Times.
The judge passes down the line, draping beribboned medals over each small head – but omits to present one to the only black child present. The nine-year-old child is clearly puzzled, as are her fellow young gymnasts. The children either side of her, who have both received their own medals, lean in and say something inaudible. The omitted child then looks tentatively down the line with a strained smile, as if wondering if the judge is going to return to her. She does not.
On September 22nd, in reference to the initial complaint from the family, it posted: “The complaint alleged racist behaviour by one of our officials at the event. On receipt of the email, as per our policy and standard practice in relation to complaints, we investigated the matter. Gymnastics Ireland immediately contacted the family to express concern and reassure them that the matter was being investigated.
“It was my first time with Gymnastics Ireland ever as I was a trainee judge at the competition so I was very nervous which I am not using as an excuse but is the truth. A lengthy mediation process then began between the family and Gymnastics Ireland. This was facilitated by the Sports Disputes Solutions Ireland. A resolution was reached in August of this year.
Whomever made the film of the events of that day in March last year either made the decision to pass it on to someone else, or themselves posted it to social media on Friday, September 22nd. At that point it immediately became an international story. Biles then, “When this video was circulating, her parents reached out. It broke my heart to see, so I sent her a little video. There is no room for racism in any sport or at all.
It said: “For context I attended the SportsFest event over a year ago, at which time the complaint was under investigation by Gymnastics Ireland and I had an informal conversation around what happened and the possibility that it may have happened inadvertently. I was in no way definitive in my comments nor did I intend any upset to be caused.
Sport Ireland also provided its own statement which said: “Sport Ireland’s position throughout was that the incident in question should not have happened and should be investigated by Gymnastics Ireland.
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