Vice Olympic champion in 2016 in Rio, boxer Sarah Ourahmoune was running for the position of president of the French boxing federation. She announced that she was withdrawing because of “sexist and racist” attacks.
Candidate alongside the current president of the boxing federation for the elections which are to be held on December 14, the former 2016 Olympic runner-up Sarah Ourahmoune has decided to throw in the towel.
In a press release published this Sunday, November 10, the former boxer denounces having “been the target of racist and sexist attacks: words like “the Arab on duty”, “housekeeper of the federation”, or even “the female dog of…”, not to mention the anonymous messages of incredible violence and deeply shocking.
The 42-year-old ex-athlete had announced a few days earlier in the newspaper L'Équipe his joint candidacy with the current president of the Federation, Dominique Nato, in office for three years. The 66-year-old ex-boxer maintains his candidacy. Boxer Estelle Mossely, Olympic champion in 2016, is also a candidate. Ourhamoune, who retired from sports after the Rio Games in 2016, has been vice-president of the body since 2021.
“I sincerely believed that my experience, my ideas, and my energy could be useful for my sport, and for all those who make it live: young people, women, and enthusiasts involved on a daily basis in clubs. I knew that the Election periods within federations are sometimes marked by friction and low blows, but this time it went beyond what I could have imagined.she continues.
“I refuse to be silent”
“I never thought I would be attacked like this for my origins or for the simple fact of being a woman. I cannot accept it. I refuse to remain silent. […] 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.” concludes the one who won Olympic silver in 2016 in Rio, in the flyweight category.
Current president of the French boxing federation, Dominique Nato, who had agreed to run as a co-presidential candidate with Sarah Ourahmoune, also reacted with anger. “JI would like to express my full support to Sarah at this difficult time. The French Boxing Federation stands by his side and reaffirms its commitment to lead the necessary fights in order to knock out. those who spread hatred and division. In 2024, in a context where attacks and intolerance sometimes seem to prevail, it is more essential than ever to defend the values that unite us. This episode, far from defeating us, strengthens our determination. I will continue, alongside the existing team and the Federation, to uphold the values of boxing and to carry out actions to promote an inclusive and hopeful sport.”
The elections are scheduled for December 14.
