After a wave of outrage on social media, Sofia Goggia apologized for her controversial statement
What: Getty Images/Alain Grosclaude/Zoom Agency
Sofia Goggia unleashes a storm of indignation with questionable statements about homosexuality. The Olympic champion also comments on transgender athletes. After her interview statements, Goggia has to apologize publicly.
EActually, the quiet phase of the year has now begun in winter sports. Most athletes are on summer break. But Sofia Goggia, 2018 Olympic downhill champion, caused a scandal with controversial statements about homosexuality in skiing.
The Italian even had to apologize publicly after an interview with the “Corriere della Sera” after a wave of outrage hit her on social media.
In the conversation with the Italian newspaper, Goggia was asked whether there were homosexual athletes in skiing. The 29-year-old then explained: “Among the women there are a few, yes. Not among men, I would say. They have to throw themselves down the Streif in Kitzbühel.” The legendary descent in Austria is considered one of the most dangerous in the world.
Goggia backtracked shortly afterwards with a statement on her Twitter account. There the world-class athlete wrote: “A falling tree makes more noise than a growing forest. I’m sorry and I apologize to all the people who felt offended by the sentence that came out in the Corriere interview.” She “certainly” did not want to express herself in a “discriminatory form”.
Goggia versus trans athletes in women’s sports
Goggia has been asked in the past if she considers herself a feminist. The Italian also attracted attention with her choice of words: “I believe that women should fight for their rights, including equal pay. But women are women, men are men.” She doesn’t like it when people say: “Women with balls. Why do you judge me by what I don’t have, what I’m not?”
Goggia also has a clear opinion on the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports. “At this athletic level, a man who morphs into a woman has physical attributes, even at the hormonal level, that allow him to push harder. I don’t think that’s right then.”
