Germany’s Cycling Director Gets a Lockout After a Rough Time Trial
During the men’s Olympic road time trial in Tokyo, German cycling boss Patrick Moster was caught on camera making a racist remark that left the entire federation staring in silence. The result? He was told to head back home—no later return to the Games.
The Incident
While the German rider Nikias Arndt chased past the Australian, Belarusian and other contenders, Moster shouted: “Get the camel drivers, get the camel drivers, come on!” The line was heard as he urged Arndt to push forward.
Later, he apologized, claiming hot‑headedness, and insisted he wasn’t a racist. The German Olympic Committee (DOSB) politely accepted the apology but saw no possibility of keeping him in Tokyo because what happened had stirred a storm both out of Tokyo and back in Germany.
Reaction Rounds
- Alfons Hoermann – “We believe the apology was genuine, but this slip broke the Olympic values of fair play, respect, and tolerance.”
- International Cycling Federation (UCI) – “We condemned the comments outright.”
- Arndt – “Appalled. His words were unacceptable.”
- Florian Nass – “Words fail me. That has no place in sport.”
What Happens Next?
With a stern warning from the DOSB and a swift action by the UCI, Moster’s stint as national team leader ends here. It’s a reminder that even a fleeting outburst can ripple far beyond the finish line.
