The British Olympic Association has launched an investigation into an alleged racist conversation on WhatsApp between Team GB rugby sevens star Amy Wilson-Hardy and an unnamed party. A leaked screengrab of the alleged interaction has caused outrage after surfacing on Instagram during the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
In the screengrab posted by an anonymous account, Wilson-Hardy appears to be pictured wearing a dark-coloured face mask, and an unnamed party replied: “Genuine chocolate face.”
A response to that racist comment, allegedly sent by Wilson-Hardy, reads: “Thought I’d have a better chance with the blacks.”
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The account that leaked the alleged comments captioned the screengrab: “A little black face racism by @teamgb Rugby 7’s @amywilsonhardy even joking she’ll have a better chance with the blacks.”
The 32-year-old was part of Team GB’s rugby sevens squad that finished fourth at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and she returned to the fold in Paris.
Victories against Ireland and South Africa on either side of a defeat to Australia in the group stage secured qualification to the quarter-finals.
However, Team GB fell to a 17-7 defeat to USA at the Stade de France, which hosted all four quarter-final matches on Monday.
The emerging screengrab of the alleged WhatsApp chat has somewhat marred Team GB’s campaign, with the British Olympic Association actively treating it as a serious matter.
A spokesperson told the Mirror: “The British Olympic Association has been made aware of an image published on a social media platform and is investigating the matter.”
Wilson-Hardy, from West Sussex, has made 10 appearances for England and scored 40 points since being handed her debut in 2013.
She spent eight years at Bristol Ladies at the start of her professional career from 2010 to 2018. After a five-year stint at Wasps that followed, she joined Trailfinders Women in 2023.
Wilson-Hardy was named in England’s 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup squad and won bronze for England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast.
She is capable of playing in the centre or on the wing and also won gold for Great Britain at the 2023 European Games hosted by Poland.
Team GB will face China in the matches to determine the placings from fifth to eighth on Tuesday before the semi-finals, bronze medal match and the final.
The Brits’ conquerors USA will face New Zealand for a spot in the final before Canada do battle with Australia.