Olympic Officials Ignore Women Reporters During Shaun White Presser

Women journalists couldn’t ask Shaun White about the sexual assault allegations against him, because Olympic officials didn’t call on them at a presser. The Olympic snowboarder called allegations against him “gossip” in a recent press conference after winning his third gold medal.

But White had previously admitted to sending sexually explicit photos to a former women bandmate. She filed a harassment suit against him in 2016 for the texts and other discriminatory and crude behavior. The two reached a settlement in 2017, but the lawsuit resurfaced when White won his latest medal and women reporters say they were ready to ask him for an explanation. However, Olympic officials didn’t give them a chance.

Christine Brennan tweeted, “Shaun White just called the awful allegations against him “gossip” in a press conference where no woman journalist was called upon even though several, including me, had their hand up the entire time. #MeToo.”

Julie Foudy tweeted, “Interesting. Amy Robach of GMA and Christine Brennan of USA Today both had hands raised entire Shaun White press conference. Not one woman was called on for a question. There were about 8 questions allowed.”

Press officials for U.S. Olympic Snowboard & Ski are denying the discrimination claim and White apologized for calling the allegations “gossip.”

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