Statement of Clarification - Mairead Kavanagh
24th September 2023, 14:23p.m.
Gymnastics Ireland would like to state categorically that Mairead Kavanagh had absolutely NO connection whatsoever with the incident at the GymStart event in early 2022 which has been the subject of much publicity due to the video circulating on social media in recent days. In fact she was NOT present at the event in question.
To suggest otherwise, as has been the case by some individuals, is potentially defamatory and Gymnastics Ireland is bringing the matter to the attention to the Gardai (Irish police).
Mairead Kavanagh is a highly respected international judge who has officiated at Olympic Games and World Championships. She has been involved in gymnastics in Ireland for over 30 years.
Gymnastics Ireland are fully aware of the strong emotions raised by the video, but uninformed speculation and naming of a completely innocent person is totally unacceptable and does no credit whatsoever to the anonymous people who circulate such false news.
Gymnastics Ireland condemns racism in any form.