Gabby Douglas' Former Training Gym Denies Douglas Was Victim of Racism; Believes Story was Fabricated
Two-time gold medalist gymnast Gabby Douglas, has not been a stranger to criticism. She is no longer being called out for her "unkempt" hair, but she is being attacked for some remarks she made about the training facility she went to in Virginia Beach, Va.
Representatives from the Virginia gym are speaking out against Douglas' claims.
She opened up to the Oprah Winfrey on her show "Oprah's Next Chapter," and recalled an incident of racism that took place more toward the beginning of her gymnastics career.
"One of my teammates was like, 'Can you scrape the bar?' And they were like, 'Why doesn't Gabby do it, she's our slave?'" 16-year-old Douglas -- who moved away from her hometown and her family in order to train in West Des Moines, Iowa at age 14 -- told Winfrey. "I definitely felt isolated, I felt 'why am I deserving this? Is it because I'm black?'"
"Gabby was never a victim, in fact many would say she was one of the favorites," Stageburg continued. "I am not saying that she never felt bullied because when you are in a sport with a bunch of girls it is bound [sic] to happen. However, anything that she may have felt was never about race and I can assure you everyone at some point has felt bullied. I never once heard her complain about girls being mean, funny how it is just now coming up."
Moure, the CEO, told E! News he believed Douglas fabricated the story.
"I wish to defend the children that trained with her and supported her when she attacks them with these allegations," Moure said. "Is Gabrielle a credible person just because she is an Olympic Champion? She is not giving any names or dates, leading us to believe that the accusation is fake. This wouldn't be the first time that the media has made up a story. Thousands of gymnasts and families have supported our good conduct and our professionalism during the last 30 years."
