There was never any way a whole summer of Olympic Games in 2024 was going to pass without some kind of racism scandal, and sure enough, we have one now involving Team GB star Amy Wilson-Hardy, who had the following text exchange in a WhatsApp group:
As you can see, Wilson-Hardy appears to be posing while wearing a dark-coloured facemask (the dreaded blackface?). Someone replies to the picture with: ‘genuine chocolate face’, which prompts the response: ‘Thought I’d have a better chance with the blacks x’. Which isn’t even the most racist thing I’ve heard this week, but I guess not a great look for the Team GB star, especially when someone in that chat decided to do her dirty and share the screenshot on Instagram.
And so, Amy Wilson-Hardy will have no role to play in Britain’s placement match against China at Stade de France today as officials investigate the screenshot. Although according to a statement from the British Olympic Association, she has been withdrawn on ‘medical grounds’ (wink, wink):
‘The British Olympic Association has confirmed that Amy Wilson Hardy has been withdrawn on medical grounds from the Paris 2024 rugby sevens placement matches and will be replaced by Tokyo 2020 Olympian Abi Burton.’
It does seem a bit harsh to punish someone for dark (pun not intended but intended) humour/mildly edgy joke that took place over private messages, especially when they’ve worked so hard to get to the point representing their nation on the Olympic stage, but it just goes to show what a high standard these athletes are held to and how careful they’ve got to be in every aspect of their lives when they’re in such a position. Still, can’t they just tell her to not do it again, and move on from the whole thing?
The investigation continues…
Meanwhile, we’ve already had our first sexism scandals at the Olympics too, involving this commentator and the Aussie female swimming team. Spoiler = he was sacked.
