After his verbal outburst, TV presenter and comedian Luke Mockridge is now backtracking. He would gladly accept the invitation extended by the German Disabled Sports Association.
Comedian Luke Mockridge has apologized after making snarky comments about para-athletes. “Of course, it was never my intention to ridicule people with disabilities – especially during these amazing Paralympic Games,” Mockridge wrote on his Instagram channel.
Luke Mockridge celebrated the “sharp, black humour” of disabled people
“From my own experience working with disabled people, I have always experienced a sharp, dark sense of humor that I have celebrated. I am truly sorry that I failed to convey that properly and that I have hurt people,” Mockridge continued. “It also pisses me off that at the end of these Paralympic Games, the media is talking more about me and not about the tournament.”
The 35-year-old had previously caused great shock with some comments in the podcast “Die Deutschen”. About three weeks ago, Mockridge said, among other things: “There are people without legs and arms, you throw them into a pool – and whoever is the last to drown wins.”
German Disabled Sports Association invites Mockridge
Athletes such as the small-statured shot putter Niko Kappel or the wheelchair-bound track cycling Olympic champion Kristina Vogel, who described the verbal outburst as “unbelievable”, had strongly criticized the television presenter for this.
The German Disabled Sports Association also responded to dpa’s request and extended an invitation to Mockridge to raise awareness. He was “very happy to accept” this invitation, said Mockridge. He was looking forward to “the change of perspective and to actively learning. Comedy and sport should be fun – always! Today that didn’t work out, and that’s on me,” he concluded in his statement.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
