Black girl in gymnastics medal denial controversy offered college scholarship – World News

The young black gymnast, who found herself at the center of a global outcry after allegedly being ignored at a medal ceremony, has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to a US university.

Millions of people were shocked when they saw footage of the 10-year-old athlete, the only black medalist competing, being ignored by a judge at an event in Tallaght, Dublin, in the Republic of Ireland. Four-time Olympic champion Simone Biles led global condemnation of the incident, saying it broke her heart to witness it and adding: “There is no place for racism in any sport, nor in any sport .”

Now aged 12, the exceptional youngster has won a highly sought-after gymnastics scholarship at the highly regarded Princeton University in New Jersey. 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 has come under scrutiny following the controversy. Backlash followed after it was discovered the organization failed to mediate with the girl’s family after the incident and dragged its feet for nearly a year and a half before to apologise.

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.

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 whole thing is beyond words,” she said before the family flew to the States -United 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 group. .

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 delighted that she continues to be 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.”