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NBC forced to apologise after ill-timed ad following Gabby Douglas Gold medal victory

Popular culture
6 August, 2012

The Internet was buzzing with calls of racism after the NBC slipped up and showed an advert of a monkey doing gymnastics straight after showing Gabby Douglas’ Gold medal victory.

The network has since apologised for the advert’s poor timing, explaining: ‘No offense was intended.’




Douglas has been one of the most popular athletes at the Olympics in London, becoming the first African-American woman to win an all-around gold medal in gymnastics. The 1.5m (4ft 11in) 16-year-old has taken home two gold medals so far and has become an international superstar, winning over fans with her smile and the nickname “Flying Squirrel.”

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