Sport Against Racism Ireland "appalled but unsurprised" by online racist abuse of Irish athlete Rhasidat Adeleke

SARI (Sport Against Racism Ireland) has issued an official statement on the recent online abuse experienced by Rhasidat Adeleke saying there were "appalled but unsurprised" and described Ms Adeleke as "one of Ireland’s magnificent young athletes."

Adeleke won a mixed 4x400m relay gold, women's 4x400m relay silver and individual 400m silver in a series of terrific performances at Rome's European Championships last week.

The extent of the racist abuse experienced by Rhasidat Adeleke was revealed shortly after by her American coach, Edrick Floreal.

Mr Floreal who has coached the track star since her move to the University of Texas in 2021, revealed  on Q102′s Weekend Sports Breakfast that online abuse had "really affected her, that her own people said negative things about her being an Irishwoman or not."

The coach went onto say that: "I told her: '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'."

Sports Against Racism Ireland have since released a statement saying "It is shocking that one person - the only black female member of a wonderfully talented team of athletes - can be targeted in this manner.

"This is another wake-up call for our legislators and those who govern Irish sport," the statement added.

"Unfortunately, working at the frontline of diversity and inclusion for decades, SARI has little confidence that institutional Ireland will set about tackling this threat to the wellness of our society in anything like the profound manner needed."

The organisation went on to say that there have been "signs of increased racism and an underlying hostility toward Ireland becoming a more diverse society."

SARI highlighted government failure on the proactive encouragement of multiculturalism, but also said that Sport sponsors feared responsibility too: "The continuing indifference of most stakeholders is contributing to a situation where those among us who dislike multiculturalism are emboldened to spread fear and hatred."

Concluding SARI said: "What happened to Rhasidat Adeleke this week, after she brought such glory to Ireland is, sadly, just reflective of what a great many in our society are dealing with on a daily basis."

Hot Press Editor Niall Stokes said of the recent online abuse of Ms Adeleke that: “There is no doubt that the vast majority of Irish people are inspired by Rhasidat Adeleke and what she has achieved both individually and as part of the Irish 4x400 metres teams.

"She is such an extraordinary athlete, and a lovely person – and Irish people see and understand that and almost universally warm to her – and her team-mates. In every sense, Rhasidat is Irish and – like so many children of immigrant families – she is bringing a special kind of magic to Irish culture and to Irish sport. It is a joy to see her – as it is with our footballers from Paul McGrath to Gavin Bazunu – representing Ireland.

"There are racists here – it would be stupid to imagine otherwise. But the fact is that attacks like this are orchestrated, supported, liked and regurgitated by racist agitators from all over the world.

"What you see online is not at all a reflection of what Irish people in general feel.

"It is a reflection of the extent to which social media and tech companies have let hate speech, nastiness, threats, hostility and racism loose, facilitating it in crossing national boundaries.

"If we want to safeguard democracy across Europe, something will have to be done about that, as a matter of real urgency."