Candidate for head of the French Boxing Federation, in association with outgoing president Dominique Nato, Sarah Ourahmoune finally gives up. The ex-athlete explains his decision in particular by the racist sexist attacks received on social networks.
Sarah Ourahmoune will not lead the French Boxing Federation. A declared candidate for the presidency in view of the vote scheduled for December 14, the 2016 Olympic vice-champion withdrew this Sunday, a few days before the deadline for submitting applications.
The former boxer had joined forces with Dominique Nato, the outgoing president. In a press release, Sarah Ourahmoune justified her decision: “I was the target of racist and sexist attacks: words like 'the Arab on duty', 'federation cleaning lady', or even 'the female dog of…', not to mention the anonymous messages of incredible violence.”
“My sport, the one I loved so much, is going through a period of suffering”
Estelle Mossely, Olympic champion in 2016, is also a candidate for this election. In a recent message, the latter strongly criticized the action of Dominique Nato and therefore the tandem he wanted to form with Sarah Ourahmoune.
“I am scandalized, and deeply saddened,” added Ourahmoune. “I discover with sincere pain that my sport, the one I loved so much, is going through a period of suffering that goes beyond simple rivalries. Our society is suffering, and I am worried for all of us.”
Sarah Ourahmoune explains that her decision “costs her enormously” because it “contradicts” her values of “courage” and “resilience”. “However, today, I think that my time, my energy and my values will find a better echo elsewhere, where I can be fully effective and useful,” concluded Ourahmoune. “I will continue to uphold these values and act for sport, for youth, and for a fairer world.”
