Olympic Committee sends German Coach Home after He Calls Opposition Team ‘Camel Rider’

Patrick Moster is a German International. He is the cycling coach and sporting director for Germany in the Tokyo Olympics.  During the race on Wednesday, Patrick Moster was encouraging German rider Nikias Arndt, who was riding behind Eritrean Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier and Algerian Azzedine Lagab.

Moster reportedly encouraged his rider Nikias Arndt and shouted “Hol die Kameltreiber.” ‘Catch the camel riders’ is the loose translation of that phrase.

This incident was caught on camera and reported to the German Olympic Sports Confederation. Therefore, the sporting director has been instructed to leave the Tokyo Olympics and return to Germany.

The DOSB President Alfons Hörmann said, “We remain convinced that his public apology for the racist remarks he made yesterday is sincere”.

Although he still emphasized that “With these comments, however, Mr. Moster violated the Olympic values. Fair play, respect, and tolerance are non-negotiable for Team Germany.”

In the public apology issued on Wednesday, Moster said, “In the heat of the moment and with the overall burden that we have here at the moment, my choice of words was not appropriate. I am extremely sorry and can only offer my sincere apologies.”

Here’s How Much Money Simone Biles Lost by Withdrawing From Tokyo Olympics 2020

The backlash of racism at the Tokyo Olympics: Responses from cyclists

After this incident occurred, despite the public apology from Moster, he received a lot of backlashes. The cyclist Nikias Arndt also chose to disassociate and distance himself from the incident. He referred to these comments as “not acceptable”

Translating the tweet to English, it means, “I am appalled by the incidents at today’s Olympic time trial and would like to distance myself clearly from the statements of the sporting director! Such words are not acceptable.” 

Further, the Algerian Cyclist Azzedine Lagab also took to Twitter to respond to these comments.

He indirectly reemphasized the fact that there is no room for racism in the Tokyo Olympics. Whereas, Eritrean Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier has taken the high road and chosen to remain silent on this issue so far.

Every sporting event eventually gets intense. That in itself does not justify any form of hate speech. Let alone using one of the most extreme forms i.e Racism.

It is extremely satisfactory to see that the Olympic Confederation of Germany took affirmative action before the host nation and IOC needing to intervene. This shows the firm attitude of the international sporting community against racism.

Despite a Major Setback US Women’s Gymnastics Team Clinches Silver Medal at Tokyo Olympics 2020