Quinn Simmons: American cyclist suspended by team after pro-Trump comments
‘Trek-Segafredo is an organisation that values inclusivity and supports a more diverse and equitable sport for all athletes,’ the team said in a statement
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Your support makes all the difference.An American cyclist has been suspended from the Trek-Segafredo team after he posted several comments on social media in support of President Donald Trump that the team deemed divisive, incendiary, and detrimental.
Quinn Simmons, a 2019 junior road race world champion, was suspended on Thursday after he replied to a Netherlands journalist on Twitter who was criticising the US president.
"Trek-Segafredo is an organisation that values inclusivity and supports a more diverse and equitable sport for all athletes. While we support the right to free speech, we will hold people accountable for their words and actions," read the Trek-Segafredo statement.
"Regrettably, team rider Quinn Simmons made statements online that we feel are divisive, incendiary, and detrimental to the team, professional cycling, its fans, and the positive future we hope to help create for the sport.
"In response, he will not be racing for Trek-Segafredo until further notice.
"The team and its partners will work together to determine how we will move forward and keep fans and the public informed as to the decisions made in the matter."
The suspension came after the 19-year-old reacted to tweets on Wednesday made by Jose Been. She wrote: “My dear American friends, I hope this horrible presidency ends for you. And for us as (former?) allies too. If you follow me and support Trump, you can go. There is zero excuse to follow or vote for the vile, horrible, man.”
To that, Mr Simmons, a white cyclist, replied “bye” with an emoji of a hand with black skin tone waving.
One Twitter user then referred to Mr Simmons as a “Trumper”, and he responded “that’s right” with an American flag emoji.
Backlash followed from the tweet with some accusing the cyclist of racism for using the hand emoji. Other people said they would no longer purchase Trek Bikes, Mr Simmons’ trade team’s sponsor.
Trek-Segafredo issued an immediate statement in response to Simmons’ tweets and said the team would not condone comments or actions by riders that sparked divisiveness.
“In response to the above, Trek-Segafredo does not condone comments or actions from its riders that add to divisive conversations. The Team will work with Quinn to help him understand the appropriate tone of conversation an athlete in his position should maintain,” Trek-Segafredo wrote on Twitter.
“We’re committed to making the sport of cycling a truly diverse and equitable space for all riders. We will be putting out a public statement soon.”
The team then revealed Mr Simmons was suspended.
Ms Been later deleted her tweet and expressed regret that the athlete was suspended by his team. “[I feel] horrible about the situation and terrible for (at)QuinnSimmons9 to miss his beloved classics. To suspend him would never be my choice,” she wrote, according to the Associated Press.
Her Twitter account was later deleted.
Mr Simmons is in his first year riding with the Trek-Segafredo team.
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