Cycling: Patrick Moster is relieved of all international duties by the Bund Deutscher Fahrrad (BDR). This was announced by the association this afternoon via press release. This is a response to ongoing public criticism – but not with the demanded dismissal of the employee.
Patrick Moster stays with the BDR
The decision has been made: Patrick Moster stays with the German Cyclists Association. This was decided by the Executive Committee of the BDR and announced today via press release. You have yourself "intensively dealt with the behavior of sports director Patrick Moster". Although the BDR has recognized that the statements of the 54-year-old "culturally discriminatory and totally unacceptable" were, he may continue to work for the Federation of German Cyclists.
Warning & release from all international tasks
Instead of dismissing Patrick Moster – as many have publicly demanded – various consequences were drawn. The BDR press release states:
1. Patrick Moster is relieved of his international duties until further notice. Patrick Moster will receive a qualified written warning, which will be included in the personnel file and will lead to further legal consequences in the event of a repeat offense. These measures are associated with a corresponding reduction in salary.
2. The BDR will invite the two athletes from Eritrea and Algeria as well as representatives of their associations to Germany.
3. The BDR, together with the Department of Sports and Integration of the DOSB, will review all of its training content in the trainer and official training in order to adapt and update it if necessary, but also to support the state associations to adapt their training content. A positive example is the “Fit for Diversity” module.
4. The relevant sports organizations and other partners of the BDR will be informed of these measures, including the UCI and in particular the African and the other continental cycling federations.
5. The BDR will provide regular information on the status of all these measures.
Patrick Moster:
“I still deeply regret my behavior. Immediately after the event, I tried to personally convey my apologies to the two athletes in the team hotel, which unfortunately was no longer possible because of their departure. I did this after my return.”
Massive violation of the values of the BDR
The BDR further clarifies that the statements made by Patrick Moster "A massive violation of the values for which the BDR and sport as a whole stand: fairness, respect, tolerance and standing up against any form of discrimination, xenophobia and racism." A decision was made against dismissal because in 21 years of cooperation there has been no misconduct in this direction. In addition, the public apology, and later also the personal apology, was rated positively.
Two athletes referred to as "camel drivers".
What happened? Patrick Moster hit the headlines around the world in the men's individual time trial on Wednesday when he made deeply racist statements in front of the TV cameras. He called out to Nikias Arndt "Get the cameleers, get the cameleers!" At this point, Azzedine Lagab (Algeria) and Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (Eritrea) were ahead of the German. After the race, Nikias Arndt expressed his horror at the sports director's comments via Twitter: "I am appalled by the events at today's Olympic time trial and would like to clearly distance myself from the statements made by the sporting director! Such words are unacceptable.”
CN racism racism
Patrick Moster has been director of competitive sports at the BDR since 2012, @wirsindradsport is that normal for you? pic.twitter.com/86jxeYYZJJ
— babas (@buberrs) July 28, 2021