Cycling: The German Olympic Sports Confederation made the only right decision on Thursday and pulled sports director Patrick Moster from the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The 54-year-old made extremely racist remarks during the men's individual time trial, which was clearly audible to all spectators through the running TV cameras.
Sorry from Patrick Moster is not enough
Has been working for several years Patrick Moster for the BDR. That could soon be over. The 54-year-old sports director committed a racist blunder at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, which has now had its first consequences. Today, Thursday, the German Olympic Sports Confederation decided that Patrick Moster has to leave and is not allowed to support the team in track cycling as planned. The day before he caused negative headlines in the men's individual time trial when he Nickias Arndt on the side of the road with the words "Get the cameleers, get the cameleers!" cheered. In front of the German professional drove at this time Azzedine Lagab (Algeria) and Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (Eritrea). Since the TV cameras recorded the words in a clearly audible manner, Patrick Moster faced worldwide criticism just minutes later. His post-competition apology shouldn't be enough.
Patrick Moster:
“In the heat of the moment and with the overall stress we are currently having here, I made a mistake in my choice of words. I'm so sorry. I can only sincerely apologize. I didn't want to discredit anyone."
DOSB boss Alfons Hörmann:
"We remain convinced that his public apology for the racist remark he made yesterday is genuine. With this gaffe, however, Mr. Moster violated the Olympic values. Fair play, respect and tolerance are non-negotiable for Team Germany.”
Patrick Moster - competitive sports director of the German Cyclists' Association - cheers on his protégé Michael Arndt with "Get the camel drivers". Before him: Algerians & Eritreans. Such behavior has no place in sport or anywhere else. This is disgusting racism. #Resign immediately pic.twitter.com/ijOcU1pOHS
— Manaf Hassan (@manaf12hassan) July 28, 2021
Nikias Arndt is appalled
In recent years, a much more considerate form of behavior has prevailed in society. Equality and tolerance can no longer just be simple words, they have to be lived. Such derailments - no matter who they come from - automatically lead to criticism in social media and in general public discourse and ultimately to consequences. The fact that it is always said afterwards that you were misunderstood or that you didn't mean it that way ultimately doesn't help. Finally, the crucial question is why such words are chosen at all. That athletes too Nickias Arndt he made it clear on Twitter that he sees it this way. He expressed his dismay at the insulting "Cheers" the sports director.
I am appalled by what happened at today's Olympic time trial and would like to clearly distance myself from the statements made by the sporting director! Such words are unacceptable.
— Nikias Arndt (@NikiasArndt) July 28, 2021
Azzedine Lagab takes it with humor
Although they couldn't hear it live, the comments came from Patrick Moster of course also through to those affected. The Algerian Azzedine Lagab countered the hostilities with humor. Since there are no camel races at the Olympic Games, he rides a bicycle. However, another of his tweets, in which he made general comments on the subject of racism, is affecting.
Azzedine Lagab:
“I've always wanted to promote myself as an athlete on social media but never thought it would be this way. I have received more aggressive racist comments in the past. But I've always preferred to sort these out on the spot, away from social media. It's such a shame that it had to happen at the Olympics."
Well, there is no camel 🐪 race in #olympics that's why I came to cycle. At least I was there in #Tokyo2020
— Azzedine Lagab (@AzzedineLagab) July 28, 2021
I've always wanted to promote myself as an athlete on social media, but never thought it would be that way! 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
— Azzedine Lagab (@AzzedineLagab) July 29, 2021