World judo champion Romane Dicko denounced on Wednesday racist, sexist and fatphobic messages received after the publication of a video on her social networks and announced her intention to file a complaint. “I plan to file a complaint to show that this is not normal. It’s still something serious and we must denounce it,” she declared during a press briefing a few days before the Grand Slam in Paris.
The four-time European champion and Olympic bronze medalist in the 78 kg category recently posted a video on Instagram of herself alongside classical dancer Victoria Dauberville. In the publication, the two sportswomen, dressed respectively in a blue kimono and a white tutu, dance a pas de deux on a tatami to the tune of the famous “Waltz of the Flowers” from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”. . The video gave rise to many positive messages but also to a flood of insulting comments on Dicko’s weight and skin color, which the judoka shared in a story.
“People came in droves to comment, say grossophobic, racist things and so on…” explained the woman who is also Olympic team champion. “We know that people are malicious and stupid,” she continued. “It didn’t impact me too much, I have the shoulders to support it. But I’m thinking of a 12-14 year old girl who would post a photo on the networks and who would receive the same insults. Would she be able to handle it? Could this impact him? That’s more what hurt me.”
“I don’t know if there will be consequences or not, it’s justice (which will decide). But I want to lead by example. When people comment on this, they think nothing is going to happen to them. But if people start to denounce and turn to justice, there will be a little less messages like this. Just because it’s the internet doesn’t mean you have to accept it. People are a little too comfortable on the internet and that’s not normal,” added the 24-year-old judoka who received the support of her federation.