[jaxie]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/gymnastics/37832754

I struggle to see what his views on a religion have to do with his ability as a gymnast. They may feel it's inappropriate to mock others beliefs but banning him seems OTT.
Surely getting death threats is more than enough for him to deal with. For laughing.

There is no actual supporting evidence for any belief and yet someone has their livelihood threatened for laughing at it in a private situation. Seems very unfair.

[VanessaFeltz.]

riddiculus lol

[Firewire]

Just in time for IAC I see

[kirklancaster]

And intimidation from the PC Brigade does not work?:

Louis Smith: Olympic silver medallist visits mosques after 'messing up' with video

By Nick Hope
BBC Olympic sports reporter
From the section Gymnastics

Louis Smith has indicated he is not ready to retire from gymnastics
Olympic silver medallist Louis Smith visited two mosques in London instead of joining his Great Britain team-mates at a celebration in Trafalgar Square to honour their achievements in Rio.

The 27-year-old last week told the BBC he had received death threats "every day" after a video was posted online in which he apparently mocks Islam.

Smith said he had previously been "ignorant to people's religion".

He could still be banned or expelled by British Gymnastics.

The video, filmed by Smith and obtained by a newspaper, appears to show him laughing while retired gymnast Luke Carson mimics Islamic prayer practices.

"I visited two mosques in London that I was invited to," wrote Smith on his official Facebook fan page.

"I was ignorant to people's religion. And I apologised for offending those who follow the faith.

"We can all exercise our right of freedom of speech but, being in the public eye and someone of sporting influence, it's my responsibility to exercise it in good taste, and on that part I messed up."

[Nicky91]

okay drag that Gymnast

[Northern Monkey]

As far as i'm aware mocking religion is'nt an offence.However death threats are.What's happening to the people who issued those threats?

[arista]

He is a fool
No need to get in this mess

[Shaun]

A bit of a stupid decision made by the governing body (and to a lesser extent, him).

[Cherie]

Apparently there was another incident which was taken into consideration where he tweeted a picture of a 16 year old Olympian and made inappropriate comments, personally I think that is worse as it is an invasion of privacy

[Cherie]

Also we seem to hold Islam to different standards, for example if he dressed up as a nun, no one would bat an eyelid

[Livia]

Islam is hels above every other religion in this country. Which is amazing... because in Islamic countries, other faiths don't count at all.

[arista]

It was even in PMQ's today

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by arista

It was even in PMQ's today

Was it? I watched that and I didn't hear anything :/