Child in Irish medal denial controversy offers gymnastics scholarship to US university

The young black girl who found herself at the center of an international controversy after being snubbed at a medal ceremony in Dublin has been awarded a gymnastics scholarship to Princeton University.

In a video seen by millions online, the 10-year-old athlete was ignored by a judge at an event in Co Dublin in 2022, leaving the only black girl in a line of medalists without a medal.

The incident was brought to global attention by four-time Olympic champion gymnast Simone Biles, who said seeing the footage broke her heart, adding: “There is no place for racism in any sport or in no sport. »

Now aged 12, the hugely promising athlete has been awarded a gymnastics scholarship to Princeton University in New Jersey, the Irish Mirror reports.

The Ivy League university is one of the most prestigious in the world and counts Michelle Obama, Jeff Bezos, Alan Turing and Woodrow Wilson among its most famous alumni.

Gymnastics Ireland was widely criticized over controversy after it emerged that it did not take part in the mediation that took place with the girl’s family following the incident and that it took him almost 18 months to apologize.

The organization also blocked the volunteer judge who passed the young gymnast during the medal ceremony from directly apologizing to the girl and her family about three weeks after the incident.

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Speaking to the Irish Mirror, the girl’s mother said she could never have imagined there would be such a happy ending to the distress, hurt and upset caused by the refusal to the medal and the controversy that followed.

“I’m still in shock myself because the opportunity is so big, it’s incredible. Honestly, this is all beyond words,” she said before the family flew to the United States last weekend.

And the little gymnast herself is “more than excited”, according to her mother, who paid tribute to her daughter’s determination: “Whatever happens, she keeps her head high. »

The 12-year-old has continued to excel in gymnastics since the controversy, but she is also extremely talented in other sports, including sprinting, high jump, shot put and javelin – having won medals throughout Ireland and set provincial records for his age. band.

Ken McCue of the Dr Harry Edwards International Foundation for Sport for Social Change, which supported the family following the medal controversy, congratulated the young athlete but was scathing of national sporting authorities.

Asked if she wanted to comment on the news that the girl had been offered a scholarship to Princeton University, a Gymnastics Ireland spokeswoman said she was “delighted”.

“We are also heartened that she is continuing as a member of Gymnastics Ireland and are pleased that she has continued to participate in our events with her club teammates,” she added. “We wish him and his family every success in the future.”

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