A Channel 7 Commentator Said Chinese Skiers “All Look The Same”
What the fuck, Channel 7.
Channel 7 is defending one of its star commentators after she said it’s difficult to tell Chinese aerial skiers apart because they “all look the same”.
What the actual fuck @7olympics pic.twitter.com/2dWnwAXik1
— Albert Santos, good username haver. (@albertinho) February 15, 2018
“Very Chinese. They all look the same. They’re very hard to tell who’s who”, said Jacqui Cooper, a five time Olympian and former world champ, following a jump by Chinese aerial skier Yan Ting.
The comment was quickly condemned by viewers.
did the aerial skiing commentator on channel 7 literally just say 'they all look the same' re: the chinese competitors IM DYING WTF
— brigitte ✨ (@anabelsbrother) February 15, 2018
Jacqui Cooper with the casual racism whilst commentating on #7Olympics 'they all look the same' in regards to Chinese #aerials athletes #PyeongChang2018
— Chris Henderson (@chrishendersonv) February 15, 2018
Yep the Chinese 'all look the same'. As do all Asians right?!? ? @7olympics #WinterOlympics #aerial #commentary #PyeongChang2018
— Samurai Galaxy (@samuraigalaxy) February 15, 2018
Sorry, did I just catch the Women’s Aerials commentator on @Channel7 say: “…the Chinese…they all look the same.” Excuse me? #WinterOlympics #PyeongChang2018
— Noeleene Yap (@notjoeleene) February 15, 2018
Far out, Jacqui Cooper actually just said this when commentating the womens aerials:
"The Chinese, they all look the same, it's very difficult to tell who is who"#PyeongChang2018
Seriously?— reroy (@okreroy) February 15, 2018
Notes for Jacqui Cooper
1) don't describe all Chinese as looking the same when jumping cos it sounds, uh, bad
2) No one cares how proud you are of your mates
3) stop shouting— Stefanie Kechayas (@stefanitza) February 15, 2018
Channel 7 quickly tried to clarify Cooper’s comment, saying she was referring to the Chinese team’s style and training, not their physical appearance.
“During tonight’s commentary of the Women’s Aerials, commentator Jacqui Cooper a former Olympian and World Champion, noted that an aerial maneuver was in a technical and style sense, very Chinese. Meaning that the whole of the Chinese aerial team are trained in the same way — and the manoeuver referenced a classic, technically perfect, trademark of that team’s style,” the station tweeted.
“At no time was the commentary racist, intended to be racists or offensive.”
Clarification pic.twitter.com/bbZvh7l69w
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) February 15, 2018
Cooper also tweeted that she was referring to the team’s style, noting that they are all coached by the same person and are trained to use the same techniques.
Just finished the Aerials, I’ve noticed a whole bunch of comments about my remarks re the Chinese. I need to make it clear I was talking about the jump. The Chinese are trained by one coach with one technique, their aim is all to jump the same.
Bring on the final tomorrow night.— Jacqui Cooper (@JacquiCooperSKI) February 15, 2018
Neither Cooper or 7 apologised for the poor choice of words.