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Gabby Douglas' Former Training Gym Calls Racism Claims 'Sickening'

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Aug. 15 2012, Published 2:11 p.m. ET

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By RadarOnline.com Staff

Officials with the gymnastics facility Gabby Douglas trained at denied claims the gold medalist made in a recent TV interview, that she was bullied and subject to racist comments.

Calling Gabby's accusations "just sickening," Excalibur gym's Randy Stageburg told industry website Gymnewstics.com that "Gabby was never a victim, in fact, many would say she was one of the favorites.

"I never once heard her complain about girls being mean," Stageburg said. "Funny how it is just now coming up."

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Excalibur CEO Gustavo Maure asked, "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," Maure told E! in a statement. "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."

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In the recent TV interview, the now-wealthy 16-year-old said she "felt being bullied and isolated from the group" at her training gym in Virginia and that was why she decided to move and train at a facility in West Des Moines, Iowa.

"Was it was a sense of 'You're different and we're gonna make you feel that way'?" the interviewer asked America's newest sweetheart, who replied, "Yes…they treated me, not how they treated their other teammates.

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