Gymnastics Ireland has apologised "unreservedly" in relation to a complaint of alleged racist behaviour by one of its officials at an event last year.
A video of the incident at the GymStart event in March 2022, which has been widely shared on social media in recent days, shows a Gymnastics Ireland official handing out medals to a number of young gymnasts but skipping the only black girl in the line.
According to the organisation, the girl received her medal after the official realised the mistake.
The mother of the now 11-year old gymnast said it had taken one-and-a-half years to receive a written apology.
She said it was painful to watch the video on social media and that her heart breaks to see it.
She said she was concerned that the incident would be covered up, so she wanted the apology published.
She said whilst her child had later won a medal, this was a participation medal that every child gets, and her daughter had been passed by.
The girl's parents complained to Gymnastics Ireland over the incident, with the body subsequently launching an investigation.
In a statement, the organisation said: "On behalf of the Board and staff of Gymnastics Ireland we would like to unreservedly apologise to the gymnast and her family for the upset that has been caused by the incident".
"What happened on the day should not have happened and for that we are deeply sorry. We are also sorry that what has happened since that date has caused further upset.
"Please know that at all times we have been acting in good faith and with the best of intentions in trying to resolve this very difficult and sensitive matter.
"We offered an in-person apology after the incident as we believed this was the best approach. Subsequently we felt mediation was the best way forward."
Gymnastics Ireland said it is committed to "ensuring nothing like this will happen again" and appointed an independent expert to review its policies and procedures earlier this year.
"We would also like to engage with the gymnast's family and Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) to listen to any suggestions they have as to how our procedures can be improved in this regard," the organisation added.
The incident has drawn attention internationally, including from US gymnast Simone Biles who said on social media that she sent a video of support to the girl after her parents reached out to Ms Biles.
The four-time Olympic champion wrote: "It broke my heart to see, so I sent her a little video".
She added that "there is no room for racism in any sport or at all".
The Gymnastics Ethics Foundation has confired it is currently considering a case referred to it from Ireland with regards to alleged racist behaviour by an official at Gymnastics Ireland during an event last year.
However it would not comment further to ensure the integrity of this process.
