The Ministry of Sports posted an image of a monkey on a boat before the opening ceremony. It was criticised on social media and recognised as a “serious mistake”: “Perpetuating harmful stereotypes”.
Brazil’s Ministry of Sports posted a photo on Friday ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games, featuring a monkey driving a boat. “Everyone waiting for our boat,” the ministry wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in the caption, referring to the boats that transported the various Olympic delegations along the Seine River.
However, the post was heavily criticised on social media for its racist overtones and was eventually deleted. The Brazilian Ministry of Sports later issued a statement apologizing.
????????? Ministry of Sports publishes post with image of a monkey on the boat of the Brazilian delegation at the Olympic Games #Paris2024 and deletes it shortly after.
In a statement, the Ministry said the post “was a serious error and incompatible with the values we defend” and regretted… pic.twitter.com/F3XKa54tEP
— Eixo Politico (@eixopolitico) July 26, 2024
“The Ministry of Sport deeply recognizes and regrets the mistake made by posting an inappropriate image on our social media today. The post was immediately removed due to its insensitive and offensive connotation,” the statement reads.
In addition, the Ministry of Sports, headed by André Fufuca, acknowledged that the “image has historical racist connotations and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.”. It was a “serious mistake”, He took over the Brazilian government, because it was “incompatible with the values” he defends.
The Ministry also “deeply regrets any offence caused” and is “committed to ensuring that something similar does not happen again”.
Source: Observadora
