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news
Peter Sagan video apology screen grab.pngPeter Sagan makes video apology to podium girl +video
Peter Sagan has made a video apologising to the podium girl whose bottom he pinched yesterday, as well as 'women and fans'.
The star rider, who was placed second in the Tour de Flanders yesterday, faced a barrage of complaints from cyclists and fans after 'goosing' the woman in a stunt for the watching cameras.
On his public Facebook page, Sagan posted the video, entitled "Dear Maya, women and fans, I know I have no excuse. here again my sincere apologizies..." [sic]. You can watch the full video below.
In faltering English, he goes on to say:
Since I already apologised to Maya for what I did on the podium yesterday after the race, because it was wrong of me and I don't thinking when I was up on the podium.
I never should have done it.
I am so sorry and I hope Maya and anyone else I have offended knows how sorry I am and accepts my apology.
I promise to act more respectfully in future.
The Facebook comments (at least those in English) appeared to support the rider, with one saying:
"One must remember that those women who are prepared to sell their shapely bodies to perform prize-giving rituals - they are hardly icons of respectability in the first place. If anyone doesn't respect women, it's the chick who's having her ass grabbed. Peter, that is not disrespecting women! At the very least it's a sign of approval. Not need to apologise dude. Now forget it. It's over."
Another wrote: "what's the matter??? Sagan didn't do anythhing wrong...when you see those chicks...., it's normal to do what a man should do..."
Others though were not so forgiving, with one writing: "Yeah, well, the damage is done".
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17 comments
I don't think he needed to apologise at all, but fair do to him for doing so.
So if Sagan pinched your sister's/daughter's/mum's bum you wouldn't want him to apologise to them and you wouldn't be at all offended?
...and, as others have pointed out, the woman who really deserves some media attention for her performance, Marianne Vos, has had a lot less coverage than this silly little mistake. Sexism is alive and well in world cycling, it seems.
Indeed it is. I asked a well known female pro cyclist if the women's races had podium boys. Her reply, "on the odd occasion there is a sweaty old man forcing himself on you!"
It's all a bit much. Such a storm in a tea cup.
As someone else put it, 'young lad makes mistake'.
It does feel like the world of 'political correctness' has warped us into ignoring and subsuming our natural responses. People should realise that we are only human.
Two wrongs don't make a right.
Firstly, Sagan was wrong to do what he did and it is good to see him offer what appears to be a genuine apology.
Secondly, the practice of having pretty young ladies presenting the awards is outdated and sexist. It just all seems so 80s. Time to move on cycling.
It is quite interesting in the Tours of Qatar and Oman when the podium girls are replaced by local princes. You can almost see the panic on the riders' faces as they try to cope with the podium etiquette.
The podium girl thing is totally outdated and unnecessary. I don't reckon our enjoyment of a day's racing will be damaged by the winner not getting a kiss from two local loverlies.
The fact we have podium girls is an indication of liberty and the girls aren't forced to do it. In Qatar and Oman women aren't allowed to ride bikes! ...so they have no chance of getting close to the podium...
So, Kirsten Wild didn't win the Tour of Qatar then?
I'm not even going to dignify your 'liberty' comment with a response...
Young Lad in 'Does Something Stupid' Shocker.
Hold the front page!!!!!!
I don't think there was much need for this but fair play to him.
he seems to have forgotten his sponsored kit for the video?
hard to believe but even pros wear casual clothes... i know, i was just as surprised.
He'll be on Oprah next...
But seriously, and don't take this as a "she was asking for it" comment, because its not, if there wasn't the ridiculously sexist tradition of podium girls then this situation wouldn't have happened, and I don't just mean cycling either.
Absolutely agree with that! It is a ridiculous tradition!