Channel 7 Olympic commentator slammed over “racist” comment
Channel Seven’s coverage of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics has been no stranger to criticism, but viewers are particularly outraged with a “racist” comment made by one of its commentators, former Australian Olympic freestyle skier Jacqui Cooper.
While covering the first stages of the women’s aeriels, Cooper made some questionable comments about the Chinese skiers.
“Very Chinese,” she said of Yan Ting’s first jump. “They all look the same, they’re very hard to tell who’s who.”
Many viewers took to social media to slam Cooper’s comments as “racist”.
I’ve always wanted to be there to witness a live, tv moment you know is going to be on the news tomorrow. Thanks Jacqui Cooper @Channel7 for the casual racism toward Chinese athletes - “it’s hard to tell them apart, they all look the same” #PyongChang2018
— Alan White (@AlanOWhite) February 15, 2018
Jacqui Cooper with the casual racism whilst commentating on #7Olympics 'they all look the same' in regards to Chinese #aerials athletes #PyeongChang2018
— Chris Henderson (@chrishendersonv) February 15, 2018
Jacqui cooper, I love you. But saying that the Chinese aerial skiers "look the same" is kinda racist. @7Olympics isn't doing well at all. #7Olympics
— Len Webster (@lennwebster) February 15, 2018
Following the backlash, Channel Seven issued a statement explaining that Cooper’s comments had been taken out of context.
“During tonight’s cover of the women’s aerials, commentator Jacqui Cooper – a former Olympian and World Champion – noted that an aerial manoeuvre was in a technical and style sense, very Chinese,” the statement read.
“Meaning that the whole of the Chinese aerial team are trained in the same way – and the manoeuvre referenced was a classic technically perfect, trademark of that team’s style.
“At no time was the commentary racist, intended to be racist or offensive.”
Late last night, Cooper herself addressed the criticism on Twitter.
Others have jumped to her defence, with one Twitter user writing, “She obviously meant jumping style.”
Another said people were only accusing Cooper “because rather than check what she actually said in the right context, it’s easier to jump to conclusions.”
Tell us in the comments below, what did you make of Cooper’s gaffe?
Image credit: Jacqui Cooper/Instagram.