A video of a 2022 young gymnastics competition has gone viral as footage shows that the officials subjected a young Black competitor to racial discrimination by skipping her when handing out medals.
In the video, officials from Gymnastics Ireland are seen taking pictures of and putting medals around the necks of the competitors following an event in March 2022. In a line of approximately 10 competitors, the girl, who was the only Black competitor in the lineup, is seen looking on in confusion as she remained the only one skipped who didn’t receive her medal.
Shared on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, the video has amassed over 20 million views and over 36,000 reposts. After being tagged on the post, gold-medal-winning gymnast Simone Biles responded to the video, revealing that she had already reached out to the girl and her family.
“When this video was circulating, her parents reached out. It broke my heart to see, so I sent her a little video,” she wrote. “There is no room for racism in any sport or at all!!!”
Fellow gold medal-winning gymnast Jordan Chiles also reposted the video, asking the internet to help find the name of the girl to contact her. As the video continues to circle around, Gymnastics Ireland has released a statement on their website, alleging the incident was not intentional and claiming that a resolution was achieved in August of this year.
Welcome to Ireland where people get away with racism! This little black girl broke my heart. Don’t skip this post without leaving a million heart for her. Make her famous… pic.twitter.com/YYMIP1IALZ
— Mohamad Safa (@mhdksafa) September 22, 2023
“We remained engaged with the GEF through the autumn and winter months during which time our internal process was suspended,” said Gymnastics Ireland in their statement. “In February, we agreed to resume internally and proceed to the next stage of our process.”
According to the organization, the competitor and her family were then presented with a written apology from the official. In conversation with the Irish Independent, however, the family revealed that Gymnastics Ireland is incorrect and that the issue is still not settled as the group continues to protect the official.
According to the mother of the girl, the one-line apology they received from the official who skipped her daughter in the awarding ceremony addressed the letter to “to whom it concerns” and was not genuine.
The family is looking for a public apology, as they are now taking the issue to the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation.
“All along we have tried to keep the incident under wraps given the age of the child,” said Ken McCue, a former employee at Sports Against Racism In Ireland who has been helping the girl’s family, per the Irish Independent. “The negative impact on the family has been immense as they fear racist kickbacks. Gymnastics Ireland must issue a public apology as members of the audience were shocked at the incident.”
