A Team GB rugby sevens player was stood down ahead of the final day of competition at the Paris Olympics as the British Olympic Association (BOA) investigates an alleged racist message sent on WhatsApp.
Amy Wilson-Hardy will play no part in the final day of the event after an image of what was alleged to be a conversation on the messaging service was shared on social media.
The BOA, the national Olympic committee for the United Kingdom, said on Monday it was “aware of an image on a social media platform” and was investigating the matter.
Wilson-Hardy, who has 10 caps for England, featured in both of Great Britain’s matches on Monday, against South Africa and the United States.
The BOA confirmed that Wilson Hardy had been withdrawn from the squad “on medical grounds” ahead of the team’s match with China and replaced by Abi Burton.
A BOA spokesperson said on Tuesday: “The British Olympic Association has confirmed that Amy Wilson-Hardy has been withdrawn on medical grounds from the Paris 2024 rugby sevens placement matches and will be replaced by Tokyo 2020 Olympian Abi Burton.
“As confirmed last night, the BOA continues to investigate this matter.”
Great Britain lost to China on Tuesday afternoon and will face Ireland in the seventh- and eighth- placing game later in the evening.
(Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
