German cycling director apologises for use of racial slur after being sent home from Olympics
The sporting director of the German cycling federation (BDR) has been told to return home from the Tokyo Olympics after being caught on camera using racist language during Wednesday's men's Olympic road time trial.
"The team leadership at the Olympic Games in Tokyo has decided that Patrick Moster cannot continue his work as national team leader Cycling and will return to Germany," the German team said in a statement.
Moster had used the offensive language during the road time trial event as he tried to urge on German cyclist Nikias Arndt as he chased Algeria's Azzedine Lagab and Eritrea's Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier.
He was overheard using a racial slur when directing rider Nikias Arndt to beat his competition from Algeria and Eritrea.
"Get the camel drivers! Get the camel drivers! Come on!" he said.
Moster apologised, later blaming his remarks on "the heat of the moment."
"In the heat of the moment and with the overall burden that we have here at the moment, my choice of words was not appropriate. I am extremely sorry and can only offer my sincere apologies," he said in a statement.
On German TV broadcaster ARD, commentator Florian Nass was left stunned, describing the comments as "totally wrong".
"Words fail me," he said. "Something like that has no place in sport."
Algerian cyclist Azzedine Lagab said he was offended by Moster's use of a racial slur.
“Well, There is no camel race in #olympics," he said in a message on Twitter.
"That’s why I came to cycling. At least I was there in #Tokyo2020.â€
Well, There is no camel 🪠race in #olympics that’s why I came to cycling. At least I was there in #Tokyo2020
â€" Azzedine Lagab (@AzzedineLagab) July 28, 2021He said he was shocked to encounter such language at the Olympics.
"I had more aggressive racist comments before, but I’ve always preferred to deal with them on the spot, far from social media It’s such a shame it happens in the #olympics," he wrote on Twitter.
I’ve always wanted to promote myself as an athlete on social media, but never thought it would be that way! I had more agressive racist comments before, but I’ve always preferred To deal with them on the spot, far from social media It’s such a shame it happens in the #olympics
â€" Azzedine Lagab (@AzzedineLagab) July 29, 2021Arndt also condemned the language used, saying he is "appalled" and does not support the use of racial slurs.
Ich bin entsetzt über die Vorfälle beim heutigen olympischen Zeitfahren und möchte mich hiermit deutlich von den Aussagen des sportlichen Direktors distanzieren! Solche Worte sind nicht akzeptabel.
â€" Nikias Arndt (@NikiasArndt) July 28, 2021With SBS News
0 Response to "German cycling director apologises for use of racial slur after being sent home from Olympics"
Post a Comment