In the latest scandal to hit the Tokyo Olympics, a German cycling coach was sent home after he was caught on camera yelling racist slurs to refer to rival cyclists from African countries.
Patrick Moster, sports director of the German Cycling Federation, was at an outdoor qualifying trial in the Japanese town of Oyama to cheer on German rider Nikias Arndt, who was struggling to catch up to Eritrea’s Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier and Algerian cyclist Azzedine Lagab on the road. His voice was caught on audio yelling: “Get the camel riders, get the camel riders, come on!”
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Moster’s yells floored German sports commentator Florian Nass, who was broadcasting the race and said that it was “completely unacceptable” behavior. “Words fail me. Something like that has no place in sport.”
His athlete Arndt also condemned the outburst.
“I am appalled by the incidents that took place at today’s Olympic time trial,” the 29-year-old told local reporters at the venue. “Such words are not acceptable. The Olympics and cycling stand for tolerance, respect and fairness. I take my hat off to all great athletes who have come from around the world to be here in Tokyo.”
The 54-year-old coach later apologized profusely, saying he was not racist and that his remarks were made “in the heat of the moment.” While Moster’s apology was welcomed by the German Olympic Federation, he has since been sent home and faces calls to resign.
“The team leadership at the Olympic Games has decided that Patrick Moster cannot continue his work as national team leader in Tokyo and will return to Germany,” the federation said in a statement.
Team Africa Rising, a sporting organisation developing cycling talent across the continent, added its voice for tougher disciplinary action in a series of tweets.
“This was completely unacceptable and an apology is not enough. We call for his immediate and unconditional resignation.”
The Algerian cyclist Lagab also responded sardonically on Twitter.
“Well, there is no camel race in #olympics,” he wrote. “That’s why I came to cycling. At least I was there in #Tokyo2020.”
He later added that it was “such a shame” that it happened at the Olympics.
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