Dylan Bettencourt
Patrick Moster, the sporting director of the German Cycling Federation has been sent home from the Olympics after he was heard telling rider Nikia Arndt: “Get the camel riders! Get the camel riders! Come on!”
This happened when his rider attempted to catch cyclists from Algeria and Eritrea.
Moster has since apologised but on Thursday, Team Germany said the director will be sent home following a meeting where his actions and the consequences were discussed.
The German Olympic Sports Federation President and Tokyo delegation leader Alfons Hörmann said. “We remain convinced that his public apology for the racist remarks he made yesterday is sincere. With these comments, however, Mr Moster violated the Olympic values. Fair play, respect and tolerance are non-negotiable for Team Germany.”
One of the riders Moster was referring to, Azzedine Lagab of Algeria tweeted: “Well, there is no camel race in the #Olympics.”
Moster said he was caught up in the heat of the moment and his choice of words was not appropriate and all he could do was to offer his apologies.
Arndt said he was appalled by his director’s language and branded his actions as unacceptable.
Hörmann has been accused of overseeing a toxic environment as the head of the German Olympics team with an ethics panel recently recommending elections to choose a new president. Hörmann has since said he would not run for the role.
Image source: @Then24
