Athletics

Online racist abuse of sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke widely condemned

Coach says Irish athlete was really affected by negative comments questioning her Irish identity

Rhasidat Adeleke celebrating with her European Championships silver 400m medal in Rome. Photograph: Ian Treacy/Inpho

Jade Wilson
Sun Jun 16 2024 - 15:46

Hate speech directed on social media towards European champion athlete Rhasidat Adeleke is “another wake-up call” for Ireland, Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) has said.

Joining Taoiseach Simon Harris and other public figures in condemning the abuse, SARI said it was “appalled but unsurprised that one of Ireland’s magnificent young athletes, who gave the nation such joy at last week’s European Athletic Championships in Rome, has suffered racial abuse online”.

Its remarks came after Adeleke’s coach Edrick Floreál said the Irish athlete was in a “dark place” some months ago after being targeted at the time by online racist abuse.

Adeleke won mixed 4x400m relay gold, women’s 4x400m relay silver and individual 400m silver in Rome at the European Championships this week and is set to compete for Ireland at the Paris Olympics.

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But the 21-year-old from Tallaght had been impacted by online abuse in the run-up to the championships, Floreál said.

Speaking on Q102′s Weekend Sports Breakfast, Floreál, who has coached Adeleke since her move to the University of Texas in 2021, said comments online “really affected her, that her own people said negative things about her being an Irishwoman or not”.

“I think that’s probably the most pain I’ve seen her have. She was really in a dark place when she read those things on the internet. She doesn’t cry ever, so when she cries it’s like, oh my God, so that bothered her more than I ever thought and I just let her handle it,” he said.

Floreál said he advised Adeleke that “this is part of the deal, being who you are, attracting the attention you are attracting, that’s part of the deal, it comes with the territory, you can’t have one without the other and you’re going to have to accept it for what it is and deal with it and continue to train and perform”.

[ Johnny Watterson: This week Rhasidat Adeleke performed, and the people spoke ]

Responding to the interview by Adeleke’s coach, Taoiseach Simon Harris urged the athlete to not let “online cowards” affect her.

In a post on X, Harris said Adeleke is “not only a world-class champion, she is a world-class person”.

“You have inspired a nation this week, especially young girls & boys. You are class, so please do not let online cowards bring you down. You are Ireland and Ireland could not be more proud of you,” he said. However, the post has since been removed from the platform.

Minister for Finance Michael McGrath posted: “Rhasidat needs to hear loud and clear that these racists are a tiny minority in Ireland & represent no one only themselves. She is an extraordinarily talented and gifted athlete, and more importantly an inspirational role model to girls and boys here.”

In a statement, SARI – which works to challenge discrimination and promote inclusion through sport – said: “This is another wake-up call for our legislators and those who govern Irish sport.”

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SARI said it had “little confidence that institutional Ireland will set about tackling this threat to the wellness of our society in anything like the profound manner needed”.

Signs of “increased racism and an underlying hostility toward Ireland becoming a more diverse society” had been evident in recent times, according to the group.

“It’s through training and education that minds can be informed and hearts opened. SARI specialises in this work but to meet a growing need requires resourcing. This should be led by Government but supported by all commercial interests that sponsor sport.”

The abuse Adeleke had faced was “just reflective of what a great many in our society are dealing with on a daily basis”, SARI added.

Jade Wilson

Jade Wilson

Jade Wilson is a reporter for The Irish Times

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