From February 2 to 4, the Paris Grand Slam will take place. But Romane Dicko also wanted to talk about a completely different subject this Wednesday, during the press briefing presenting this important judo tournament. The 2022 world champion over 78 kg denounced racist, sexist and fatphobic messages received after the publication of a video on her social networks.
“I plan to file a complaint to show that this is not normal,” she said. It is still something serious and it must be denounced. »
The four-time European champion, individual Olympic bronze medalist in Tokyo, recently published a video on Instagram of her 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 Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky.
“We know that people are malicious and stupid”
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 24-year-old judoka shared in her 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 it? That’s more what hurt me. »
“I don’t know if there will be consequences or not, it’s justice [qui décidera]. 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. » “It’s not because it’s the Internet that we have to accept it. People are a little too comfortable on the Internet and that’s not normal,” added the judoka, who received the support of her federation.