A Scots model has condemned a torrent of racist abuse he suffered after revealing the country’s Commonwealth Games ceremony outfits.
Adam Belarbi and fellow model Victoria Epia were subjected to the vile comments by a legion of anonymous keyboard cowards after showing off the outfits set to be worn by the country’s athletes in Glasgow this summer.
Racist comments were made on social media, accusing them of not being Scottish.
The offensive posts were yesterday denounced by Commonwealth Games Scotland, the woman who designed the outfits, and by Mr Belarbi, who said: ‘I did not expect this amount of blatant hate and racism.
The models were bombarded with a torrent of online hatred
Siobhan Mackenzie, who designed the outfits for the Scottish athletes
‘I’m truly disappointed by the comments under this post.
‘I was honoured to have landed the job as the model for the launch of the ceremonial Commonwealth Games outfit of my home country and host nation.
‘From my experience growing up, going to school, living, working and studying in Scotland, I am saddened by these comments and believe they are not representative of our society.
‘I take pride in being from Scotland and take pride in the kind, warm and open-minded nature of the people. However, it’s clear we still have a long way to go.’
Designer Siobhan Mackenzie said: ‘It has been incredibly disheartening to witness the volume of racist comments circulating across multiple platforms.’
And a Team Scotland spokesman said: ‘Commonwealth Games Scotland condemns in the strongest possible terms the abhorrent online abuse aimed at the models who featured in our ceremonies outfit reveal this week.
‘Discrimination has no place in sport or society. Adam and Victoria have our full and ongoing support.’