Simone Biles’ heart broke when she saw viral footage of a young Irish Black girl being ignored for a medal during a gymnastics ceremony.
According to Yahoo, the unfortunate incident was at a GymStart event in March 2022.
Despite being from last year, the video has recently made the rounds on social media.
You’ll see a line of girls being presented with medals in it.
However, the one Black girl doesn’t get one–which would make anyone’s blood boil.
Simone Biles Was Justifiably Upset
“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.” Simone Biles
In a statement, Gymnastics Ireland admitted a parent had filed a complaint of alleged racist behavior.
However, they revealed that they had settled the issue this August.
“The official in question accepted fully that what had happened had not been acceptable but stressed that it had not been intentional. The official concerned said that upon realising the mistake they immediately rectified it and ensured that the competitor concerned was presented with her medal before she left the Field of Play…. A written apology provided by the identified individual has since been issued to the competitor and her family.”
The mother, however, had something different to say.
She revealed that the complaint had not been settled–instead, they received an apology she felt was not “genuine.”
“We are often the only Black family at gymnastics events and this has been very hurtful for us. 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.”
Gymnastics Ireland revealed a recent statement apologizing to the gymnast and her family.
However, the statement didn’t acknowledge the mother’s recent comments.
Such incidents show us that we are still a long way from ending racism, and Simone Biles’ frustration is something we all understand.
Simone Biles reached out to the girl, and Gymnatics Ireland apologized and issued the girl an award, but…damage done…again.https://t.co/ZLjQkwyuxi
— Greg, RN BSN (@gspowers) September 26, 2023
