- Team GB officials are investigating a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation
- Rugby sevens star Amy Wilson-Hardy is said to have made the comment
- Wilson-Hardy started in Team GB’s match against South Africa on Monday.
Team GB rugby sevens player Amy Wilson-Hardy has withdrawn from the Olympics amid an investigation into an alleged racist message.
The British Olympic Association has launched an investigation into an alleged post made by Wilson-Hardy on a WhatsApp conversation, which was later posted on Instagram.
Wilson-Hardy played in Team GB’s 17-7 quarter-final loss to the United States on Monday.
The 32-year-old has withdrawn from placement matches at the Games, with the BOA citing “medical reasons”.
“The British Olympic Association has confirmed that Amy Wilson Hardy has been medically withdrawn from rugby sevens qualifying matches and will be replaced by Tokyo 2020 Olympian Abi Burton,” read a BOA statement.
BOA officials are investigating a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation that appears to show rugby sevens player Amy Wilson-Hardy making an allegedly racist comment.
The leaked screenshot appeared to show Wilson-Hardy wearing a dark-coloured mask, with the rugby sevens player reportedly posting “I thought I’d have a better chance with the blacks” in response to a comment.
His replacement, Burton, played in Great Britain’s 19-15 loss to China in their 5-8 place match on Tuesday afternoon.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Monday that the BOA was investigating the post.
Officials are investigating a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation allegedly involving Team GB and England striker Amy Wilson-Hardy and an unnamed third party.
Inside it is a photo of the 32-year-old woman, who appears to be wearing a dark-colored face mask.
The third writes below: “genuine chocolate face,” prompting the response: “I thought I’d have a better chance with black guys.”
The image was posted on Instagram along with the caption: ‘A bit of blackface racism from @amywilsonhardy of @teamgb Rugby 7s, even joking that she’ll have a better chance with black people.’
Wilson-Hardy started in Great Britain’s women’s rugby sevens team’s 26-17 victory over South Africa
Wilson-Hardy, who made his England debut in 2013, played twice on Monday.
Wilson-Hardy (centre) appeared in Team GB’s 17-7 loss to the United States on Monday night
In an earlier statement, a BOA spokesperson said: “The British Olympic Association has been made aware of an image posted on a social media platform and is investigating the matter.”
Wilson-Hardy, who made his England debut in 2013, started today’s 26-17 win over South Africa, then featured in the 17-7 quarter-final defeat by the United States that night.
Originally from West Sussex, she won a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, was named in the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup squad and has an engineering degree from the University of Bath.
Wilson-Hardy has 10 caps for England and has scored 40 points.
A BOA spokesman said: “The British Olympic Association has been made aware of an image on a social media platform and is investigating the matter.”
The RFU has been contacted for comment.
