MICA QUITS OVER DISCRIMINATION
WELSH Olympian Mica Moore says she feels a duty to highlight “damaging and offensive behaviour” against “the BAME community and women” after quitting the British bobsleigh team and ending her 2022 Winter Olympics dream.
Moore, 29, had been in contention to feature at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, having helped Great Britain to their best result in the women’s bobsleigh at a Games – eighth – at Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018. She stepped back from bobsleigh later that year to focus on university studies, and rejoined the GB bobsleigh team in the summer of 2021 following a three-year spell away from the sport.
But Moore, who has also represented Wales in athletics, revealed in a public statement on Twitter on Friday that she had removed herself from the women’s team and ended her own Olympic bid “because of actions of others and the truly negative environment that was created”.
The British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association (BBSA) said it has carried out an investigation, condemns discriminatory behaviour and thanked Moore for raising her concerns.
Moore, from Newport, said: “I wanted to wait until my indoor season was over to address why my bobsleigh season ended so suddenly but I do think it’s very important that I share my last few months with you.
“Before Christmas I made the decision to remove myself from the women’s team that were trying to qualify for the Games. This meant my bid to make the Olympic Games in Beijing ended. This was obviously a tough but a strangely freeing decision I made.
“I left not because of myself but because of actions of others and the truly negative environment that was created by some individuals in the team. As I’ve gotten older as an athlete, my thought process has matured, it’s not just about the achievements I make in my sport but what it means for the next generation of athletes rising through.
“As a person of colour and a female I feel I have a duty to call out damaging and offensive behaviour against the BAME community and women.”
A statement from the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association said: “The BBSA was made aware of an allegation of inappropriate behaviour during the sliding season and carried out a full and thorough investigation at the earliest opportunity.
“The allegation did not involve a BBSA staff member but a verbal warning was issued and additional diversity and inclusion training implemented. We worked with Mica during this time to provide appropriate support and are thankful that Mica came forward to raise her concerns.
“The BBSA condemns discriminatory behaviour of any kind in the strongest terms and will continue to implement improved practices and procedures to ensure bobsleigh continues to be a sport for all.”
Moore added: “Even if I can’t make that much of a change, I want to show athletes that it’s completely OK to put your self-worth and integrity first. Your happiness is most important.
“I really do have to say a huge thank you to my sponsor Richard for helping fund and continuing to fund my journey and for his support in my decision, and my family for their never-ending support.
“Also a thanks to many staff within the BBSA who supported me through what was a very difficult time. I also thank them for the changes that they have put in place to ensure athletes’ welfare.
“And also to charities such as Sporting Minds UK who are an excellent charity providing support to athletes.
“I’ve enjoyed some time with my family and friends and had such a fabulous time doing some indoor races. But you can’t keep a mouse down, I still love what I do and there’s still more to be done.”