“A falling tree makes more noise than a growing forest. I’m sorry and I apologize to all the people who felt offended by the sentence that came out in the Corriere interview which, certainly, when I said it, did not want to be of a discriminatory nature “. After a whole day of controversy Sofia Goggia breaks the silence with a tweet in which she apologizes for her words, spoken in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
But what had the champion said? «Are there homosexuals among the athletes? Among women, some do. Among men I would say no. They must already throw themselves from Kitz’s Steif », Goggia had said referring to the difficult Austrian track and she also expressed herself on the possibility that transgenders compete with women. «In terms of sport – she added – a man who turns into a woman has physical characteristics, even at the hormonal level, which allow him to push harder. I don’t think it’s right then. “
The reactions
Words that aroused indignation not only on social media – where Goggia’s two responses circulated in multiple screenshots and tweets – but also in politics. The first to rise up was the undersecretary of the Interior and exponent of IV, Ivan Gasparotto: «I read dismay that according to Sofia Goggia a gay athlete would not be able to make a downhill. Before saying such things, kind Sofia, you should stop and think twice: speed is an advantage in the race but with words it can become a big problem ».
While Vladimir Luxuria explained that Goggia’s is a «truly humiliating thought: this idea of measuring heterosexuality through virility is absurd. If one is able to challenge certain heights he does it regardless of sexual orientation. That of the Goggia is a somewhat old idea, according to which gays in front of a steep descent come back screaming and wagging. For some, sport has always been a demonstration of machismo. Already said by men it is terrible, but said by a woman it is really humiliating ».
For Marco Arlati, a member of the Arcigay national secretariat, the skier’s words are «wrong and refer to an old mentality. I sincerely hope that Sofia apologizes and that she understands that her words about gay athletes are stuffed with misguided and meaningless stereotypes and could fuel hatred towards the LGBTI + community. In Italy and in the world – he added – there is an objective difficulty in coming out, very strong in Italy. And these statements give the perception of the thought that unfortunately still hovers in the sports world. Athletes are such regardless of gender, gender identity and sexual orientation ». “As regards the transgender issue – concludes Arlati -, there are precise indications from the Coni and the IOC, which are the most suitable bodies for giving indications on regulations”.