#racism in sport
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Calacus Weekly Hit & Miss – Lewis Hamilton & Nadine Dorries
Every week we look at the best and worst communicators in the sports world from the previous week.
HIT - Lewis Hamilton
The growth of Formula One is down in no small part to the popularity and legacy of the drivers, who are competing in an increasing number of locations across the globe.
The meteoric rise on the track from Sir Lewis Hamilton has certainly contributed to the growing interest in the sport.
From modest beginning as a go kart driver in Hertfordshire to being signed by McLaren in 2007, Hamilton has broken down barriers as the first – and only – black driver in Formula One history.
With seven titles, Hamilton is the joint all-time World Champion, and it’s to his credit that he has championed a variety of causes that his platform has afford him the opportunity to promote, such as racial equality, the Black Lives Matter Movement, justice for Breonna Taylor; and LGBTQ+ rights.
Just a few weeks ago, he was having to defend his activism against criticism from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who argued the sport had become ‘too political’.
As we often discuss, representation in sport has never been more crucial to inspire the next generation and Hamilton is a shining example of how athletes can use their platform.
So it was disappointing that former racing driver Nelson Piquet made racist comments about Hamilton on a Brazilian podcast last November, where he was discussing the collision between Hamilton and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen during the 2021 British GP.
The remarks have come to light on social media and Piquet was found to have used a racially offensive expression in Portuguese saying: "The [racist term] put his car there to hit him on purpose.”
Later, he was asked if he felt Hamilton would not make the corner at Copse, Piquet went on to say: "Him? Never! He wanted to take him out no matter the cost.
“The [racist term] left the car there to hit him. It's because you don't know that bend. It's a very fast one, and two cars can't get through. There's no way two cars can go side by side there. It was a dirty trick! He's just lucky that the only other guy got screwed."
When the remarks surfaced, they were justifiably met with wide condemnation and disgust.
Racism has, in particular, been a constant during Hamilton’s career, and something he is thankfully not afraid to speak out against. Hamilton put out a series of tweets in reply, the first of which was a message in Portuguese, that said: “Vamos focar em mudar a mentalidade” which translates to ‘Let's focus on changing the mindset.’
He later tweeted: “It’s more than language. These archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in our sport.
“I’ve been surrounded by these attitudes and targeted my whole life. There has been plenty of time to learn. Time has come for action.”
Hamilton’s team, Mercedes, were swift to support their driver by sharing their own statement that said : “We condemn in the strongest possible terms any use of racist or discriminatory language of any kind.
“Lewis has spearheaded our sport’s efforts to combat racism, and he is a true champion of diversity on and off the track.
“Together, we share a vision for a diverse and inclusive motorsport, and this incident underlines the fundamental importance of continuing to strive for a brighter future.”
Fellow Mercedes teammate George Russell was also quick to condemn the remarks, and said: “Huge respect to LH. He has done more for the sport than any driver in history, not just on track but off it.
“The fact that he and so many others are STILL having to deal with this behaviour is unacceptable. We all need to stand together against discrimination of any kind.”
Other Formula One teams also showed their support for Hamilton, with Ferrari and Aston Martin tweeting that they stand with Hamilton.
The governing body, the FIA, also denounced Piquet’s racism and said: ““The FIA strongly condemns any racist or discriminatory language and behaviour, which have no place in sport or wider society.
“We express our solidarity with Lewis Hamilton and fully support his commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in motor sport.”
An F1 statement soon followed, which said: "Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society.
"Lewis is an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect.
"His tireless efforts to increase diversity and inclusion are a lesson to many and something we are committed to at F1."
Brazilian novelist and lyricist Paulo Coelho showed support for Sir Lewis and tweeted: “Dear Lewis Hamilton, Piquet is currently the driver of the worst president in our history. His racist remarks shows the desperate need to return to the spotlight.
"I apologise in the name of the Brazilian people, who respect and love you."
In the wake of the backlash from the racist remarks made, Piquet issued a public apology to Hamilton, which said: “"I would like to clear up the stories circulating in the media about a comment I made in an interview last year.
"What I said was ill-thought-out, and I make no defence for it, but I will clarify that the term used is one that has widely and historically been used colloquially in Brazilian-Portuguese as a synonym for 'guy' or 'person' and was never intended to offend.
"I would never use the word I have been accused of in some translations. I strongly condemn any suggestion that the word was used by me with the aim of belittling a driver because of his skin colour.
"I apologise wholeheartedly to anyone that was affected, including Lewis, who is an incredible driver, but the translation in some media that is now circulating on social media is not correct.
"Discrimination has no place in F1 or society and I am happy to clarify my thoughts in that respect."
Bernie Ecclestone, the former chief executive of the Formula One Group and a man considered the architect of modern F1, then poured oil on the fire by defending Piquet’s racism.
Ecclestone said: “I've known Nelson for an awful long time. I was with him a couple of weeks ago. It's not the sort of thing Nelson would say meaning something bad.
"He probably thinks lots of things he says which might upset us or might feel a little bit offensive.... to him it's nothing. It's just part of conversation.
"Nelson would never go out of his way to say anything bad, certainly. I think what probably happened, knowing Nelson as I know him, as his daughter is the girlfriend of Max Verstappen, probably after seeing the accident, he probably exploded and carried that forward.
"People say things... if people happen to be a little bit overweight, or undersized like me, I'm quite sure a lot of people have made remarks about that. If I'd have heard it, I'd have been able to deal with it myself without too much trouble.
"I'm surprised Lewis hasn't just brushed it aside. Or, better than that, replied. But he's now come out and Nelson has apologised so everyone should be happy."
Graciously, Hamilton responded to Ecclestone and he said: “"Discrimination is not something we should be giving a platform. We need people to be bringing people together.
"We are all the same and the comments we are seeing are not helpful. There needs to be some accountability. You know what you're going to get [with Ecclestone].
"But I'm still here. Lip service is not good enough, we need to push for action. I've always tried to take the high road and be respectful. Why do we give these guys a platform?
"They are clearly not willing to change and these undertones of discrimination and micro-aggressions in today's world are not helpful, it is creating more division. I love when Michelle Obama says: 'When they go low, I go high,' and that's what I try to do.
"We are living in the world and there is still discrimination all around the world, you see it all around you,. These micro-aggressions come out., enough is enough, no-one should have to brush off racism and it shouldn't be for me to have to brush it off. We need big organisations to take a stand."
When climate change protestors broke through the barriers during the British Grand Prix last Sunday, in which Hamilton finished third, the Mercedes driver was quick to support the protests while warning of the dangers of circuit incursions.
He said: “As we’ve seen today, this is a dangerous sport,” said Hamilton in a social media statement.
“I wasn’t aware of the protests today, and while I’ll always support those standing up for what they believe in, it must be done safely.
“Please don’t jump on to our race circuits to protest, we don’t want to put you in harm’s way.”
With the help of Mercedes, Hamilton has also set up The Ignite partnership, to promote diversity and inclusion in motorsport.
The first two grants awarded by the programme will be granted to Motorsport UK in support of the FIA Girls on Track programme and to the Royal Academy of Engineering, to increase representation of students from minority ethnic and economically disadvantaged backgrounds in the British motorsport industry.
The Ignite partnership grant is expected to help expand the programme’s reach to 8,000 girls and young women aged from eight years old to 24.
Hamilton has shown throughout his career that hate never wins.
It will be interesting to see what the FIA do to punish Piquet for his racist comments. Indeed, actions speak louder than words.
MISS – Nadine Dorries
Competence and proper planning are vital when making a speech or talking to the media.
Failing to plan is planning to fail and can lead to a PR disaster if one isn’t careful, especially in an age of social media. One wrong step can go viral and create a media storm in an instant.
Step forward Nadine Dorries MP, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, who has a habit of making gaffes when being interviewed, be that by a Select Committee (LINK to Channel 4 gaffe) or by the media, who she often treats with great disdain.
At a Rugby League World Cup event she attended in St. Helens to speak about the findings of a report which claims the 2021 Rugby League World Cup – delayed by the pandemic until later this year – has already made £25m worth of positive change in communities across the north of England through its social impact programme, it happened again.
The event was going smoothly for Dorries. When asked about the report, she said: “We know that some of the towns and cities that will host Rugby League World Cup 2021 matches are amongst those hardest hit by the pandemic and increases in the cost of living and the Government has backed the tournament with over £15m investment to bring world-class sport to these communities.
“The findings published in this report today are vindication of the decision taken to prioritise the Social Impact Programme from the very outset. It has been trailblazing in both its inception and delivery, laying the groundwork for future sporting events in this country and beyond to follow in its footsteps.”
The report reinforces the success of mental health and volunteering programmes that the World Cup has brought about for communities throughout the north of England.
However, when reminiscing about her favourite Rugby League memory, she mistakenly used Jonny Wilkinson’s iconic drop goal in the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup Final as her answer.
Dorries said: “I’ve always quite liked the idea of rugby league – my long-standing memory is that 2003 drop-goal.
“We were drinking Bloody Marys at the time, it was 11 o’clock in the morning. But wow, what a moment that was.”
She didn’t realise her mistake and kept going.
Dorries said: “I’m not going to say I’m an expert who watches it all the time, that it’s an increasingly physical and sometimes brutal sport and it often ends up in a scrum which actually reminds me very much of politics.
“I think we have a lot in common and given a lot of the media like to call me the Prime Minister’s attack dog, I wonder sometimes if I should give rugby a go.”
There are several major differences between the codes of rugby league and rugby union. Most obviously, rugby league is played with 13 players whereas rugby union is played with 15 players.
The point-scoring system is also different, as is the number of permitted substitutes. These are facts that a government minister in charge of sport in the UK should know when making a speech to a specific audience.
The gaffe completely overshadowed the event and it didn’t take long for the mistake to go viral on social media.
Dorries was quick to clarify her comments and she tweeted: “Like Jason Robinson I may have switched codes in my speech.
“Both league & union have a rich heritage in the UK. Obviously I've followed rugby league much less in my lifetime, but I'm looking forward to watching England (& all the home nations) in the RL World Cup this Autumn.”
The Rugby League World Cup chief executive Jon Dutton was sympathetic to Dorries when asked for his reaction to the comment from BBC Sport editor Dan Roan.
He said: “Clearly the Secretary of State made a mistake with her comment. But we’re delighted that she’s come here today to support the tournament, to support the publication of the social impact report and to see first hand the difference this tournament is making for communities.
“The sport is 127 years old but needs a tournament like this to have more visibility. We want more people to be educated on what a wonderful sport rugby league is - and also, what a wonderful sport rugby union is.
"We've had a conversation and we look forward to her coming to the tournament."
This isn’t the first time that Dorries has got herself confused with different sports and their terminologies.
Back in April, she went viral when she appeared in fellow Tory MP Dr Luke Evans’ TikTok explaining her role in the government.
In the video she said: “We’re responsible for everything to do with sport in the country. From making sure you’ve got football pitches and you have tennis pitches in your communities, where you can play and exercise your sports.”
As the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, it should be a prerequisite that you’d know they were called tennis courts, not pitches.
Again, she had to clarify her original mistake and said: “I have dyslexia, which means that when I speak I often run my words together and say things that sound like the words I’m trying to say.
“Sometimes it’s funny and I laugh it off… but mostly, it’s just difficult.
“I’m OK with that. I’ve been in politics a long time and you grow a thick skin. It’s why I haven’t spoken publicly much about how it affects me.
“But I’ve found it tough seeing commentators and media outlets mock me for something that is beyond my control.
“For other dyslexia sufferers, we learn that it’s what you achieve in life that counts, not what those who mock you say.”
In public positions, you have to be held accountable for what you know and what you say.
Dorries would certainly do well to remember that, and educate herself on the various sports she goes to speak about in advance.
#Lewis Hamilton#Formula One#racism in sport#LGBTQ+#Black Lives Matter#McLaren#Mercedes-Benz#Ferrari#Aston Martin#George Russell#Nelson Piquet#Bernie Ecclestone#Silverstone#FIA#discrimination#Ignite partnership#Girls on track#Nadine Dorries#rugby league#Rugby Union#Rugby League World Cup#UK Government#2003 Rugby World Cup#gaffe#BBC Sport#Jason Robinson#Luke Evans#TikTok#Dsylexia
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men are so annoying my god. they have some of the dumbest takes on women's sports its obvious how disingenuous they are. "wnba players are jealous of caitlyn clark" and all most of them were saying was that caitlyn has a lot to learn playing professional basketball because it's a genuinely tough game and they hope she succeeds. men just keep belittling how skilled a lot of wnba players are and have been until caitlyn clark. they make fun of the wnba without watching it and then act like they know everything and declare caitlyn the sole saviour of the wnba like we haven't had legends like Elena Delle Donne or A'ja Wilson dominating the game. EMBARASSING!
ALSO they are RIGHT to complain about the racism since most brand deals and sponsorships for wnba players are white women. im happy that female athletes are winning and getting money, but it's telling when 70% of the basketball league are black women and most of the sponsorships are held by white women.
the way these goons take out the nuance and the humanity when discussing women's sports and reduce it to infantile squabbles of jealousy just shows how underdeveloped their brains are. like i know you men like inventing drama out of nowhere, but can you just stick to discussing stats? you're so cringe fr.
anyways!
I can't wait to see Stewie for New York Liberty on the court! Las Vegas Aces, Chicago Sky, Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics are about to give us one hell of a season coming this May 14th. I'M SO HYPED!
Here are the women to watch out for (IMO because I'm biased and not in order of skill)
#1. Breanna Stewart (Stewie) (New York Liberty)
I pledge allegiance. Sincerely. She's so fun on court and weaves between players like that scene in Korra when she had to learn air-bending by evading spinning doors. I can't wait to see her play! (Next to her wife I'm her no# 1 fan don't joke around with me). Check some of her playing out here.
Also, here's a video of her eating spicy wings and barely surviving (while telling her story):
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#2. Angel Reese (Chicago Sky)
After an amazing career in college basketball, Reese finally got drafted to the Chicago Sky WNBA team early this year. She's gotten a lot of hate for being justifiably boastful about her skills but she's remained a strong leader for her teammates and had a positive impact on girls and women everywhere. This is her first season in the WNBA and you can expect a show from her! Check some of her highlights here!
Here's a video explaining why she's so freaking iconic:
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#3. Aaliyah Edwards (Washington Mystics)
One of the top picks of this year's WNBA draft, Aaliyah has been a star player for UCONN for years. She is one of the highest rated draft picks of the season! This will be her first season on the WNBA playing for the Washington Mystics. Her rebounds and offences are amazing to witness. Watch her highlights here.
#4. A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)
One of WNBA's modern GOAT'S. A'ja IS INSANE. She intimidates everyone on court and then the court itself. I literally saw the basketball hoop shaking when she looked at it during one of her games! I swear. It peed itself. Her wingspan and strength make her so formidable like y'all just have to watch herrrr!! Oh yeah, and she won the championship and several MVP titles. Check her out here!
#5. Caitlyn Clark (Indiana Fever)
Does she really need an introduction? Her career in college basketball has been spectacular and special for women's sports everywhere! She was breaking records in HIGH SCHOOL! This is going to be her first season in the WNBA and more eyes than ever will be on the game because of her! Check some of her highlights playing for Iowa here.
#6. Rickea Jackson (Los Angeles Sparks)
While playing small-forward on her college team, Rickea made a name for herself as one of the most aggressive offensive players in women's college basketball today! She's strong and fast and alert and is genuine fun to watch. You won't want to miss out on her debut into the WNBA for the LA Sparks! Watch her game highlights here.
#7. Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces)
Kesley Plum is just one of my favorite athletes of all time! She's so dedicated to her team and the people in her life and it shows. Her joy is so infectious! She is also an incredibly, impressively strong and SKILLED athlete! And she was a big reason why LVA won the season last year. (And hallelujah she's divorcing her dumbass husband rn! hopefully the dead weight makes her an even stronger player!). Watch some of her highlights here.
AND CHECK OUT THIS VIRAL VIDEO OF HER THROWING A T-SHIRT TO HER FATHER WHO IS FAR UP IN THE BLEACHERS!
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#8. Sabrina Ionescu
Sabrina and Stewie are an unstoppable duo! Watching them play is electric for me! WHEW! Sabrina has made WNBA history with idek how many records! She is the top in the league in assists, triple-doubles, and steals. SHE'S INSANE!!! SHE'S FUCKING RABID!!!! See for yourself here!
Watch her break the all-time three point record like it's nothing here:
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#9. Cameron Brink
Cameron Brink debuts in this season of the WNBA for the Sparks! Cameron has had an amazing college career, but is especially known for her strong defence (and being the god-sister of Stephen Curry). She's bound to have a promising season. Watch some of her highlights here.
The strongest teams (IMO) seem to the Aces, the Mystics, the Sparks and New York Liberty. But there are also strong players in teams like Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings and Minnesota Lynx.
If you don't know which team to support, you could just pick your favourite athlete and choose their team. Some people like underdog teams and some people like top dog teams. Based on last season, I'd consider Indiana Fever an underdog team and Las Vegas Aces the top dog team (they won last season). In terms of best teams? LVA players are SEAMLESS. They move like water and it's magical to watch. But so are the Liberties and the Mystics! I genuinely don't know who to pick between those three.
If any of you gyns watch WNBA, please tell me who you're supporting this season and why!
Anybody who wants to start the season with me in May 14th, comment or reblog and maybe we can organize a discord for it! I'd love to watch this with you guys! And I'm all up for team rivalries.
#radblr#wnba#women's sports#basketball#women's basketball#feminism#angel reese#racism#misogyny#misognynoir#radfem#radical feminism#support women's sports#caitlyn clark#kelsey plum#aja wilson#steph curry#stewie stewie stewie!#Youtube
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We have to get people to empathize, we need empathy. Sometimes I wonder, does anyone else care? Sebastian (Vettel) was one of those who supported me the most. He told me that some teams were talking racist things about me. He got down on one knee with me in 2020, I have yet to see a driver as brave as him. Laws must be changed so that people live better. We are risking our lives to try to educate others - Lewis Hamilton
#yes this sport needs to d*e it's that simple#tw racism#racism tw#lewis hamilton#sebastian vettel#f1
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israeli terrorists shoot Palestinian man carrying aid until he dies
inna lillahi wa inna illayeehi raajiun
#he was carrying aid#which is already hard to get#his determination to get up again and again might be because he has a family/kids to feed waiting for him#he'll never make it back home. his family may never find out what happened to him#or maybe they will. which one is worse?#they literally are hunting palestinians the same way the british hunted indians for sport after indians revolted against brtish rule in 185#colonial britain and israel: divided by centuries united by colonialism and senseless violence and intense racism#free palestine#palestine#gaza#from the river to the sea palestine will be free#glory to the martyrs#long live palestine#long live the resistance#death to israel#death to america
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The white liberal consumption of Black death and suffering as a sort of pseudo-Christian martyrdom spectacle and catharsis for their white guilt continues to be one of the most ghoulish traits of living in this country.
#if you're wondering why i was vagueblogging about broadway earlier i had to see a musical where ALL the black characters are killed off#to teach the white characters lessons in humanity obviously#the audience was >90% white#it was like watching blood sport it was fucking nightmarish#racism tw#anti blackness tw
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Russia has been accused of a “disgusting and pathetic” attempt to smear two of the US’s most successful sportswomen.
The Russian embassy in South Africa posted a picture of the figure skater Kamila Valieva on their social media account, a day after she was banned for four years for taking banned drugs, above pictures of the US gymnast Simone Biles and the tennis star Serena Williams.
“Do not confuse,” read the post. “Russian athletes, doping. US athletes, cereals.”
(continue reading)
#politics#russia#simone biles#serena williams#kamila valieva#racism#anti blackness#russian embassy#racialized misogyny#racial stereotypes#white purity#white nationalism#sports#russian doping
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March Badness
A GOP state legislator in Michigan, Rep. Matt Maddock, saw a bus with too many brown people near at the airport and jumped to the obvious conclusion: "Happening right now. Three busses just loaded up with illegal invaders at Detroit Metro. Anyone have any idea where they’re headed with their police escort?"
It was Gonzaga's basketball team, headed to the Sweet 16 round. But don't let facts get in the way of some good racism and red-baiting:
Maddock made his false claim in a month during which false and misleading claims about airplane flights involving migrants have proliferated on the political right.
Hundreds of social media users quickly disputed Maddock’s post on Wednesday, but Maddock refused to concede. He replied to one of the many people who pointed out the plane and buses were likely for NCAA basketball teams: “Sure kommie. Good talking point.”
Maddock continued to dig in on Thursday morning. He wrote a new post saying, “We know this is happening” and that hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants are “pouring into our country.” He added: “Since we can’t trust the #FakeNews to investigate, citizens will. The process of investigating these issues takes time.”
Meanwhile, in Idaho the Utah women's basketball team was essentially chased out of the state after they endured repeated racial abuse at the hotel they were staying at in Coeur d'Alene (they switched to a different hotel in Spokane).
It's nothing novel to say that athletics (and college athletics in particular) represent a prominent arena where young men and women of color are placed in the (nominally positive) spotlight of predominantly White institutions, and there are a lot of White people who really can't handle that.
via The Debate Link https://ift.tt/T8tRCn1
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I wasn't a Lewis Hamilton fan before Max Verstappen became a title threat around 2020.
I liked Lewis, I respected him, but I liked Sebastian Vettel more.
Verstappen fans constantly accuse Hamilton fans of "playing the racism card." But here's the thing:
1. Max Verstappen's dad has made close to borderline racist remarks about Lewis Hamilton. He's also a known abuser who assaulted his wife.
2. Max Verstappen's mentor, Helmut Marko, has made racist remarks against Lewis and Checo, and is the son of a Nazi.
3. Max Verstappen's father-in-law, Nelson Piquet, has made racist remarks against Lewis Hamilton and made homophobic remarks to Ayrton Senna back in the day. Senna also happens to be Lewis' idol. He was also a loud supporter of the far right, homophobic, misogynist, former Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro, who appears to have picked up all his presidential traits from Donald Trump, who he's a close friend of.
4. Max Verstappen's wife, Kelly Piquet is also a vocal supporter of Jair Bolsonaro.
5. Max Verstappen himself used ableist and racist slurs on the radio during F1 races.
6. Also, Max Verstappen fans are automatically Fernando Alonso fans, who turned up to the Spanish grand prix in 2008 in black face with posters of monkeys with the caption, "Hamilton's family".
And Max Verstappen fans are known to constantly make racist remarks about Lewis Hamilton. Ask the reddit mods of any F1 community about it.
And yet he keeps getting away with it. Red Bull fans would talk about MaFIA and Hamilton whining, but if you've followed F1 over the decades, you'll remember all the incidents when Hamilton was penalized by the stewards for the smallest infractions and usually given the harshest penalty for it.
The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix also showed that the FIA is far from supportive towards Lewis and in fact it's the other way around.
I'm not saying that all Max Verstappen fans are racists or white supremacists or Nazis.
I'm saying that all racists or white supremacists or Nazis who follow F1 are Max Verstappen fans.
That's why I support Lewis Hamilton now.
Edit: Apologies for the error, Kelly Piquet is his girlfriend, not his wife. I thought they were married.
Edit 2: Some more thoughts for the half dozen Max fans who got really annoyed by this.
I'm not saying he's a bad driver. He is perhaps the most talented Formula One driver in history. On the same day and in the same car, Max would beat Lewis more often than not.
But the guy is surrounded by racists and bigots and every bigoted F1 follower I've encountered is a Max fan, and these two facts make me look at him with suspicion.
Lewis fans are loud, theatrical, hysterical people who find conspiracies everywhere but I also see why they've become like that. Having to constantly fight back against racist dogwhistling can take a toll on your mental health.
Daniel Riccardo probably has the most fun fanbase in F1.
#max verstappen#lewis hamilton#formula 1#formula one#formula racing#f1#f1 mercedes#f1 red bull#racism#homophobia#it's ya boi#politics#sports#racing#sebastian vettel#checo perez#helmut marko#ayrton senna#fernando alonso
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Calacus Monthly Hit & Miss – Darts & Colin Graves
Every month we look at the best and worst communicators in the sports world from the last few weeks.
HIT – DARTS
It’s not that long ago that darts was associated with smoke-filled bars, pints and a male dominated crowd that didn’t exactly welcome a wide demographic of fans.
Watching Eric Bristow or Jacky Wilson with a cigarette or a pint as they played promoted a certain image that seems alien to the way the sport is now contested.
It all changed when Barry Hearn, the renowned promoter of snooker and boxing, led a breakaway from the governing body, the British Darts Organisation, to allow players to compete throughout the year and make a living from the sport.
The Circus Tavern venue gave way to Alexandra Palace and a prize fund of £64,000 with a winner’s cheque of £16,000 has risen to £2.5m with 96 players from around the world battling for the winner's £500,000 grand prize.
The format may essentially have remained the same, but the event has taken on its own personality, blending sport and entertainment together with intro music for each player as they walk to the stage.
Darts has changed from being a sport for old men to a spectacle played and watched by a younger crowd, attracting attention from general sports fans over the Festive period in particular, rather than just a regular fanatical crowd, many in fancy dress outfits.
The sport has become progressive too, with Fallon Sherrock flying the flag for female players and beating men in the World Championships on more than one occasion.
No wonder Sky extended their broadcast deal until 2025 when the last contract came close to expiring and after this year’s drama, no one would bet against them extending it again.
That darts caught the imagination of the wider public is down in no small part to Luke Littler, the 16-year-old prodigy who reached the 2024 final having first played when he was only 18 months old.
Perhaps his success shouldn’t have been a surprise, given that he was playing in under-21 competitions when he was just 10.
The unlikely star, who looks older than his teenage years, was a breath of fresh air, joking about his diet of kebabs and pizza and obsession with his Xbox.
He beat former world champions and his idol Raymond van Barneveld on his way to the final to truly announce himself on the world stage.
Sports stars flocked to meet him, including Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison, Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale and, after the final, he visited his beloved Manchester United, who introduced him to legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Because of Littler, darts became front-page news, the talk of every UK television news show, and the 2024 World Darts Championship enjoyed record-breaking viewing figures thanks to Littler's fairy-tale.
His semi-final against Rob Cross averaged 1.79m viewers with a peak of 2.32m viewers, up by 40 per cent on the previous overall record and for the final that rose to a total audience of 4.8m viewers – the highest-ever non-football audience for Sky Sports.
Darts even dominated social media with Instagram seeing 11.8m video views and 10.2m total reach on Facebook. The Sky Sports website and app also saw 2.44m follow the live blog, up 307 per cent compared to last year’s final’s 648,000.
Sky Sports Darts' Wayne Mardle, who knows a thing or two about the sport, believes that Littler is the real deal.
He said: “I can't remember someone going up there with such a swagger and just banging in 180s and hitting 11 and 12-darters like they are going out of fashion.
"I'm a darts fan first and foremost, I was watching it and I had goosebumps watching him. I love people achieving and that was a boy achieving something on the world stage.”
UK-based global darts retailer, Darts Corner's managing director Craig Heenighan underlined how this year’s World Championships have had an impact on the sport as a whole.
He said: "Luke Littler's performance has captured the hearts of the nation. It's clearly had had a huge impact. It's not often that darts is on every radio station and on the back of every newspaper.
“If you think of elite-level sports, what 16-year-old could compete and make it to the final and have a have a really strong chance of winning?
"And it's not as though he's scraped through, he's been quite convincing in the wins he's had. I also just think it's probably the way he's gone about it. He doesn't look overawed. He's got a huge amount of composure. He seems very at home on stage, which is incredible for a 16-year-old.
"I think with the younger boys and girls around the country, looking at Luke, at the age of 16.... We've all seen the videos on TV of him playing (darts) in his nappy at 18 months old.
"I think that (says to) a new generation that darts is actually quite cool. And (they think): 'I could be quite good at darts.' And I think it just breathes new life, perhaps, into a new generation looking at the sport."
It’s not just the teenage sensation that caught the headlines though.
In a sport where opponents respect each other and promote the positive atmosphere created by the excitable crowd, a word too for the eventual winner this year, ‘Cool Hand Luke’ Humphries, who, despite ensuring no fairytale ending for Littler, did a great deal for the sport himself over the course of the event.
In a sport where machismo was once taken for granted, Humphries made no secret of his battles with anxiety but has overcome the challenges and lost some weight which has also benefited his performances.
In the post-match press conference, Humphries added that speaking openly about his troubles "definitely helped me because it was a weight off my shoulders".
"I'm not the only sportsman in the world who goes through it," he continued.
"I'm definitely not the only person in this room that goes through it. I was very open and honest about it because it was affecting my career and it was hard to hold it in.
"There have been lots of people on social media who've said 'You've really inspired me and helped me'. That makes me feel great. I didn't do it because of that. I did it because I wanted to be open and honest. All of a sudden I had celebrities and sports stars that messaged me and said that they go through the same."
Humphries, also praised the impact Littler has had and said: “I’m not just saying this because it will please everyone, but Luke has been an unbelievable talent. He has been fantastic with all the media that has come about with him and he took the defeat so well. He’s one of the best players in the world, there is no doubt about that.”
Humphries vowed to give some of his prize money to his local club as well as Prostate Cancer UK, who had already been pledged more than £900,000 after sponsor Paddy Power promised to donate £1,000 for every 180 that was landed, 914 in total.
"I'll donate a bit myself from the prize money. It's very, very close to my heart. My father-in-law, who has battled prostate cancer, went and got checked out. He's found it early.”
While there have been reports of pubs and clubs closing, reducing the access to darts by those who do not wish to play at home, organisations such as Flight Club can attract a Gen Z crowd.
With more than a dozen locations in the UK and venues in the US and Australia, they feature hi-tech booths with pumping tunes that also serve brunch and cocktails and interactive screens to allow groups to play different games.
Littler went one step further at the Bahrain Masters final later in January, hitting a nine-dart finish as he beat Michael van Gerwen 8-5 to secure his first senior PDC title.
It will be fascinating to see if Littler’s rise has a lasting effect on the popularity of darts but you wouldn’t want to bet against it after the excitement and focus this year’s World Championships attracted.
MISS – COLIN GRAVES
Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) has a reputation as one of the most well-regarded clubs in England, having won over 30 County Championship titles.
But the Club has been marred by scandal in recent years and rocked by financial uncertainty that threatens its very existence.
While Colin Graves was first Chairman of the 160-year-old Club, from 2012 to 2015, the Club faced accusations of institutional racism, culminating in a complaint from captain Azeem Rafiq and later from others, resulting in a high profile investigation.
While the scandal was unfolding, Graves had an opportunity to take a stand and ensure those who were guilty were punished and safeguards put in place to ensure nothing like that happened again.
Rafiq’s claims painted a sorry picture of the abuse he and others had suffered.
The Club appeared to reluctantly concede only that Rafiq had been “the victim of inappropriate behaviour” while Graves attempted to dismiss these claims of racist language as mere “banter”, and was understandably roundly condemned for his response.
In late 2021, the Club released a statement concluding that “there is no conduct or action taken by any […] players or Executives that warrants disciplinary action”.
Yorkshire refused to send “anyone with executive authority to give evidence” to a parliamentary committee on the subject, while refusing to publish its internal report on the investigation into racism allegations.
When the report was published, it sent shockwaves through the Club and wider cricketing family, exposing a culture of racism that had long gone unpunished.
Yorkshire lost the right to host international games, was fined £400,000, and was docked 48 points from the 2023 County Championship, while many senior staff were sacked.
Sponsors understandably distanced themselves from the Club, including ground sponsor Emerald Publishing, creating financial issues that still afflict it today. The suspension of international games hosted at Headingley is estimated to have cost the club and surrounding area as much as £2,5m per game.
On top of the fine, the Chief Executive, Director of Cricket, and Head of Human Resources were all released, along with £3-4m.
After bungling their initial reaction, in August 2021, Yorkshire released a statement apologising to Rafiq and just over two years later, in October 2023, the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation released another statement apologising for racist behaviour.
Yorkshire’s increasingly difficult financial plight led to seeking investment from the Middle East to help address its financial challenges.
The situation got so bad that late last year, it transpired that the club was relying on support for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to help pay staff wages.
There were reports that the heating had broken down at Headingley and that former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley was planning on buying the famous ground.
When Ashley’s bid failed to materialise, it was hardly a surprise when Graves was confirmed as the only viable option to help the club get back on its feet.
A statement from the Club said: “The Board of Yorkshire County Cricket Club has tonight agreed to recommend the loan agreement from Mr Colin Graves.”
The former Chairman then told talkSport: “The ball is in the Yorkshire board’s court to make a decision, but my interest is real, it’s absolute, and that’s for one reason and one reason only, and it’s to save Yorkshire County Cricket Club. None of us wants to see that institution disappear.
“It’s not in a good place so from my point of view that’s the reason I’m doing this. I’m passionate about the place and I want to make sure that Yorkshire County Cricket Club survives and prospers.”
Understandably, Rafiq has sharply criticised Graves’ return and said: “There is a sense of sadness, a bit of anger. The message it clearly sends out is cricket is not a place that is safe for people like me: people from South Asian communities or people of colour.
“We have ended right back where we started. Nothing has changed. All we have had are empty words and broken promises. Now a man who has always seemed to minimise the club’s problems, a man who last June went on television and dismissed racism as “banter”, a man whose family trust was described as a “roadblock” to reform, is likely to return to Headingley as chairman. So where is the outcry now? Where are the interventions?”
Earlier this year, Graves released a further statement apologising to the racism victims: “I apologise personally and unreservedly to anyone who experienced any form of racism at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Discrimination or abuse based on race, ethnicity or any other protected characteristic is not and never will be acceptable.
“I profoundly regret some of the language I used when asked about the events that took place when I was Chairman, at a time when I was no longer at the club. I understand and sympathise with those who regarded my comments as dismissive or uncaring.”
Local MP, Alex Sobell, made a plea for alternative investors and said: "Yorkshire County Cricket Club has admitted the racism prevalent at the club exposed by the brave testimony of Azeem Rafiq and rightly set up a whistleblowing helpline and investigation into the cases raised.
"Mr Graves has dismissed what the club has admitted, describing it as banter. I am very concerned that we would lose the progress we have made under a return by Mr Graves and would need not just a statement recanting his views but full commitment to create a club for the whole community."
Clive Efford MP, a member of the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) select Committee, said Graves' return to the club would be "a disaster" while its Chair, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, invited Graves to give evidence to the committee in February, adding that his return "undermines" the progress that Yorkshire has made so far.
"The disgraceful treatment of Azeem Rafiq by Yorkshire CCC was the tip of the iceberg, with racism, classism, sexism and misogyny found to be entrenched across the sport," Dinenage said in a statement.
"The publication of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket's report last year offered a turning point for English cricket, which the ECB appears to be taking.
"The return of Colin Graves to Yorkshire and to English cricket risks undermining what progress has been made so far.
"The Culture, Media and Sport Committee will be watching closely as this deal progresses, so that the terrible past of Yorkshire CCC does not repeat itself."
Charity Sporting Equals also criticised the plan and stated: “The potential reinstatement of Colin Graves as Chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket Club would undermine the progress made.
“His reinstatement would send a message that emboldens those who perpetuate the myth that racism is simply banter, that it is enough to pay lip service to policies and procedures. It would make a mockery of the suffering of ethnically diverse players across the country. It would be a rejection of the ICEC Report’s thorough investigation and well considered conclusions.“
The Club was then forced to refute accusations that it had dismissed other potential investors in preference to Graves’ return. "Yorkshire County Cricket Club and agents acting on our behalf have met with over 350 interested parties to work through the validity of each and every genuine offer to refinance the club.
"No stone has been left unturned and a thorough and rigorous process has been conducted by the board to ensure the club stays operational for the benefit of its members, creditors and employees. We refute any assertion to the contrary.”
There is no doubt that if Graves does ratify his bid for the Club, it will prove to be an unwanted sideshow and raise further questions about English cricket’s commitment to tackling racism.
Whether sponsors remain with the club or depart to disassociate themselves from the controversy remains to be seen, potentially plunging the Club into further financial difficulties.
Some are said to be reviewing the situation and Rafiq asked others to do the same:
"My question now is for Yorkshire's current sponsors… Does Colin Graves reflect your values? Is it acceptable to describe racism as banter?
"Sponsors found their moral compass before, and they need to find it again, because any organisation supporting this is complicit in it. There is still time for them to act, to leave now and stop Yorkshire stepping back in time and undoing what progress they have made in the past three years."
YCCC has now confirmed that Graves will return, passing the vote with an 88% majority, a huge endorsement from the Club members.
How far Graves goes in accepting his mistakes and ensuring progress continues to be made in the fight against racism may well determine whether the Club can move on from one of the biggest challenges it has ever faced.
#PDC#Barry Hearn#Alexandra Palace#Luke Littler#Luke Humphries#Eric Bristow#Flight Club#YCCC#Colin Graves#Azeem Rafiq#Yorkshire cricket#Yorkshire#Mike Ashley#racism in sport#Fallon Sherrock#Eddie Hearn
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Ray Panthaki in Boiling Point Season 1 (2023) dir. Philip Barantini
#boiling point#boiling point bbc#boiling point series#tvedit#filmtv#filmtvcentral#filmtvdaily#filmtvedit#filmtvgifs#freeman (boiling point)#ray panthaki#mine*#freeman should have been allowed to hunt them as sport for all their casual racism#(not really but still)
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A B.C.-born basketball player at the University of California Berkeley went into the stands Monday to confront a fan who allegedly called him a terrorist.
Following Cal's loss to UTEP on Monday in the SoCal Challenge held in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., head coach Mark Madsen said in a statement that Fardaws Aimaq "was allegedly subjected to abhorrent and offensive comments from a fan — including being called a terrorist."
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Tagging @politicsofcanada
#cdnpoli#canada#canadian politics#canadian news#british columbia#united states#college basketball#sports#racism#racist harassment#hate speech
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Vinícius Júnior and why it’s time to stop talking about the football
Another grim episode in Spain unfolded on Sunday, but in confronting this, there is hope it is now inescapable
On Sunday, for the first time in 1,285 games as a coach and 47 years in football, Carlo Ancelotti refused to talk about the game. He had just seen Real Madrid lose 1-0 against Valencia but, standing in the cramped, narrow tunnel that leads to the Mestalla dressing room where he said his best player sat “angry and sad”, he didn’t care about that and couldn’t comprehend anyone else caring either.
So when the standard post‑match interview began with the standard post‑match question, an enquiry as to his thoughts on another defeat, he decided that, actually, no, this wasn’t going to be standard any more. Instead, he shot back: “You want to talk about football?! Or shall we talk about the other thing? That’s more important than a loss, don’t you think?”
Maybe this time, at last, some will begin to think so. If the Madrid manager didn’t feel much like talking about football, it was because Vinícius Júnior, the kid in his care, the 22-year-old winger who is probably the most electric, most exciting player in the Spanish league, a genuine superstar for a new generation, didn’t feel much like playing it any more.
Why would he, why should he, when as he arrived at Mestalla a group of fans gathered outside had chanted: “Vinícius, you’re a monkey”? When from the south stand he had been told the same? When he had been told that he was an idiot, an imbecile. When he had heard the “oooh, ooohs”?
He had had enough. There was a moment in the second half when cameras closed in on Vinícius’s face, tears welling in his eyes. In its simplicity, its sadness, that may be the most powerful of many dreadful images from Sunday night, but the one that made the greatest impact, the one that started something, which gathered the kind of momentum that could yet mean something tangible, came when he literally made a stand, facing down the men who abused him. There were 20 minutes left when he pointed at a Valencia fan behind the goal, saying: “You, you, yes, you”, telling teammates that man there had called him “a monkey”; “he did this”, Vinícius said, imitating an ape gesture, hands tucked under his armpits. Alongside him, Lucas Vázquez confronted fans: “Shitty racists.”
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#brazil#politics#spain#soccer#racism#sports#vinicius jr#brazilian politics#spanish politics#anti racism#mod nise da silveira#image description in alt
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Europe, famously not racist,
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The first time I had a black woman professor she discussed with us the idea that modern football is continued exploitation of the black body for the entertainment of white folks. And I’ve never been a sports fan but that’s an intriguing lens with which to view men risking extreme bodily harm in the form of concussions, heart attacks, etc for our amusement.
#football#american football#super bowl#black history month#black lives matter#black liberation#exploitation#sports#leftist#leftblr#racism#anti racist#anti capitalist
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“Professional” white women have disrespected Angel Reese and told her to “shrink don’t shine” ever since she was in high school
“I was sleeping when she came into my bedroom at about 11:30, and she was really upset,” her mother, also Angel Reese, recalled. “Then she showed me why.”
The 17-year-old Reese had become unnerved after seeing comments about her on a social media post.
Overtime women’s basketball Instagram page had posted a video clip praising Reese on Tuesday. But that post prompted the user of the Instagram account of an opposing coach to send a direct message to the Overtime WBB page, criticizing Reese and claiming her success was because she was “genetically blessed.”
Chloe Pavlech, who curates much of the Overtime women’s basketball content, was going through the messages when she discovered the message:
“Celebrating a player (w god given height and talent) and zero humility or impulse control. As a female coach of female high school ballers, I find this behavior repulsive, unacceptable, unflattering and unnecessary. You can have swag while not acting like a punk. Highlight some other girls in the conference who aren’t as genetically gifted …”
Pavlech found a second direct message from the coach’s account in response to a different video in December celebrating Reese:
“She’s not the greatest player that’s ever come out of this area. She’s genetically blessed. And lacks any humility. Guess you haven’t watched the film of her…”
not acting like a punk. Highlight some other girls in the conference who aren’t as genetically gifted …”
Pavlech found a second direct message from the coach’s account in response to a different video in December celebrating Reese:
“She’s not the greatest player that’s ever come out of this area. She’s genetically blessed. And lacks any humility. Guess you haven’t watched the film of her…”
The area that was whited out (by Pavlech) is the coach referencing a fight that Reese was involved in during a scrimmage last season against a non-league opponent, an altercation that earned her a three-game suspension.
“Angel had to apologize in front of the student body, and she’s played this year knowing if anything else happened she’d be off the team for the year,” her mother said. “People come at her, but she plays at a college level against high school girls. When she steps on the court she doesn’t hold back. She’s going to go at you until you sit down.”
Pavlech took a screenshot of both messages from the coach and posted them on her personal Overtime Instagram page (that post, as seen above, has since been removed). Pavlech included her own message at the top of her Tuesday post: “Why do women try to tear down young girls?”
“I was shocked that an adult — especially a coach — would be talking about a young girl in that manner,” Pavlech said. “The context of those remarks was also surprising; she was DMing in response to a very positive video Overtime WBB had posted about one of the country’s most gifted young talents.”
The direct messages came from the Instagram account of Lisa Smith, who, as of Thursday morning, was listed as the head coach of Archbishop Spalding High School girls basketball team. Later Thursday, Smith’s name had been removed from the site, with athletic director Jeffrey Parsons now listed as the current head coach of the girls team.
(continue reading)
#angel reese#jill biden#lisa smith#liberal racism#implicit racial bias#double standards#professionalism#racism#sports#basketball
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