How racism reared its ugly head in sports

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As the sporting world has come out in support of the American protesters fighting for justice after a black man named George Floyd became the latest victim of racial intolerance, let's take a look at how some of the elite athletes have faced the ugly side of racism over the years
As the sporting world has come out in support of the American protesters fighting for justice after a black man named George Floyd became the latest victim of racial intolerance, let's take a look at how some of the elite athletes have faced the ugly side of racism over the years

Published: Thu 4 Jun 2020, 12:43 AM

Last updated: Thu 4 Jun 2020, 1:57 AM

SAMUEL ETO'O
Legendary Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o is best remembered for his exploits at Barcelona where he spent five trophy-laden years and formed a deadly partnership with Brazilian icon Ronaldinho. But Eto's was also at the received end of racist abuse from fans during his time in Spain. The outspoken footballer then went on to play a leading role in the fight against racism. And he even collected an award for his stance against intolerance five years ago.

VIV RICHARDS

Arguably the greatest batsman to have played cricket since Don Bradman, Viv Richards battled the fearsome Australian bowlers on the field and their abusive spectators off it. A staunch critic of Australia and England because of the attitude of some of their players and officials, the iconic West Indian batsman said his signature shot -- the hoick over midwicket against balls that pitched on the off -- was born out of the desire to do the opposite of what the English traditionalists ask young cricketers to do.

COLIN KAEPERNICK

NFL star Colin Kaepernick (centre) sparked a national debate when he protested against racial injustice by kneeling during the US national anthem. "My protest was the culmination of years of thought and experiences, of learning and unlearning," Kaepernick said while announcing his plans to write a book this year. "I want to tell the story of my evolution, and the events that led me to protest systemic oppression, in hope that it will inspire others to rise in action."

MARIO BALOTELLI

Born to Ghanaian parents, mercurial Italian striker Mario Balotelli has had to bear the brunt of racism throughout his career. When he played for Inter Milan, he was taunted by rival fans with shouts of "there are no black Italians" and he suffered more insults playing for AC Milan against AS Roma in 2013. Recently, Balotelli hit back at Hellas Verona fans who allegedly insulted him with monkey noises during a Serie A match after one of their leaders said it was merely part of their "irreverent" nature.

USMAN KHAWAJA

Australian Test batsman Usman Khawaja has said being racially vilified when he was growing up in Sydney led him to support other countries rather than back Australian sports teams. The Pakistan-born player said in a blog post that racial abuse was widespread on the playing field during his junior days and blamed it for curtailing the sporting ambitions of a number of his overseas-born friends in Australia. "Getting sledged by opposition players and their parents was the norm," said Khawaja who defied the odds to become the first Muslim player to play for Australia.

RAHEEM STERLING

Manchester City's English winger Raheem Sterling accused sections of the British media of fuelling racism with a negative portrayal of young black players. Sterling encountered racist abuse during England's Euro 2020 qualifier in Montenegro in March, while there have been many other cases in European football in recent months. The 25-year-old player also feels that clubs should be slapped with automatic nine-point deductions and ordered to play three games behind closed doors if their supporters indulge in racist behavior.

JO-WILFRIED TSONGA

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the 2008 Australian Open runner-up, says he was regularly confronted with racism in France since his earliest childhood. "I have a black father, a white mom. I am black and white. I was one of the only children having an immigrant father in my elementary school. I let you imagine the rest," he said. "I was taught to never put this issue forward. Honestly, I never talk about it, but I am not naive about it. This tragedy is just one too many. Inevitably it makes you want to shout louder, to shout my pain."

SRI LANKAN TEAM

Cricket followers can never forget the ordeal Muttiah Muralitharan had to go through after he was called for no-ball by Australian umpire Darrell Hair during the 1995 Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Muralitharan was called for no-ball because of his bowling action which was later cleared by the ICC. But that unsavoury incident caused tension between the Australian and Sri Lankan teams. And eight years after the MCG incident, Australia batsman Darren Lehmann became the first cricketer to be suspended for racist behaviour after he was overheard making offensive comments against some Sri Lankan players during a one-day international match. 
 
JESSE OWENS

At the 1936 Berlin Olympic black American athlete Jesse Owens defied booing crowds amid Nazi hostility to win four gold medals in 100 meters, long jump, 200 meters, and 4 × 100-meter relay. Owens' heroics in Hitler's Germany may have transcended sporting boundaries, but the athlete from Alabama wasn't invited by the White House either for the traditional post-Games ceremony. And despite returning from the Games as the greatest American sporting icon of the time, Owens struggled to find a job in the racism-plagued America, forcing him to race against amateurs and horses for money.
 
VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS
Former tennis bad boy Ilie Nastase, who won two grand slam titles in the 1970s, was quoted by Romanian and some British media in 2017 as saying in response to Serena William's pregnancy announcement: "Let's see what color it has. Chocolate with milk?" It would not be the first time Williams has been stung by racism as player. Serena boycotted the Indian Wells tournament for 14 years after she and sister Venus and her family claimed they were victims of racial taunts while Serena played in the 2001 final.
(with inputs from Reuters)

By KT Sports

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