Smith gets two-month ban over Islam ‘mockery’

LONDON:

Olympic medallist Louis Smith was given a two-month ban by British Gymnastics yesterday for appearing to mock Islam. Online footage that appeared last month showed Smith, 27, and former gymnast Luke Carson laughing whilst pretending to pray and shouting “Allahu Akbar” (God is great). This year’s Olympic Games in Rio saw Smith win a silver medal on the pommel horse, with British team-mate Max Whitlock taking gold. Smith has since apologised for hs conduct, with the four-time medallist also visiting mosques rather than taking part in the London victory parade and subsequent Buckingham Palace reception for Britain’s Rio medallists that took place last month. “Louis Smith admitted his behaviour was a breach of the Standards of Conduct,” said a British Gymnastics statement. “The (disciplinary) panel upheld the allegation and taking into account a previous breach of the Standards of Conduct heard in June this year (where it also was made clear to Louis the consequences of any further breach), the panel determined a cumulative penalty was appropriate and ordered a two-month period of suspension.” — AFP