Gabby Douglas' Former Training Gym Calls Racism Claims 'Sickening'
Aug. 15 2012, Published 2:11 p.m. ET
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."
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."
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.
"I definitely felt isolated, I felt, 'Why am I deserving this? Is it because I'm black?'"
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