Gymnast flips over ‘racial’ ticket check

VIRGIN Trains has apologised to an Olympic gymnast after he complained that he and another black passenger were racially targeted for a ticket inspection.

Louis Smith, 29, who has won two Olympic pommel horse silver medals and a bronze, said he and the other passenger were the only two people in First Class to be challenged over their right to be there. The former Strictly

Come Dancing contestant explained how a man serving tea and coffee “randomly” asked a black passenger for his ticket, but not anyone else in the carriage. The train manager stated that the waiter was not supposed to be checking tickets. Virgin Trains East Coast apologised and said the complaint would be investigated.