Nacer Bouhanni is no longer alone.
The French sprinter of Arkéa-Samsic has been receiving support for a few hours in his fight against the torrent of racist abuse he has received since an error in a sprint at the end of March caused the injury of the Briton Jake Stewart.
This Wednesday morning, the UCI (International Cycling Union) provided support to the French rider.
The UCI, chaired by Frenchman David Lappartient, condemns "very strongly the racist attacks" suffered by the former French champion, following his downgrading for a dangerous sprint on March 28 in Cholet-Pays de la Loire.
The same UCI had opened, the day after the disputed sprint, an investigation to determine the responsibilities.
“Nothing justifies the insults, regardless of the seriousness of the fault committed by the French rider.
The UCI wishes to reaffirm its unconditional commitment against any form of discrimination, whatever the motives ”, insists the body which directs world cycling.
The UCI recalls, in passing, that it had seized its disciplinary commission and requested sanctions against the sprinter.
UCI statement concerning Nacer Bouhanni
- UCI (@UCI_cycling) April 7, 2021
"We will all agree or not on certain things but one thing should not be called into question: it is racism, assures on his twitter account Jake Stewart his unhappy adversary at the arrival of Cholet-Pays de la Loire .
The comments and racism against Nacer this past week are absolutely deplorable.
There is no place for racism in this world.
To the so-called
cycling
fans
who are making these comments, you are not welcome here!
"
For ten days and long before, Bouhanni has been the victim of torrents of racist insults, each more hateful than the next: "I've been receiving hundreds of messages for eight days, it's turning into harassment," lamented the Frenchman in the daily L'Equipe announcing at the same time to file a complaint: "Why does nobody do anything when this kind of filthy people constantly send me
pigs
or
terrorists, go back to your dirty Maghreb country."
I am proud of my first name, I am proud of my origins, I am French of North African origin, that's how it is, ”said the 2012 French champion.
