Spanish athletes offer apology (of sorts) for Nazi salutes

Three Spanish athletes sanctioned by the CSD Higher Sports Council and the Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA) for making Nazi salute gestures at a party for young sportspersons apologized on Tuesday for the “stupid, unnecessary and, if anybody finds it so, offensive” incident.

The gathering at the CEARD high-performance center in León was held to recognize the feat of shot putter Carlos Tobalina, who a few days earlier had become just the third Spanish athlete to break the 20-meter mark with a throw of 20.02. In a photograph posted on Twitter, Tobalina and Daniel Martínez are seen with their right arms raised and their left hands on their hearts, while José Lorenzo Hernández, a teenage shot putter, also has his arm raised. The athletes explained in a communiqué that in view of the upcoming National Championships they had decided to grow mustaches to gain a little media coverage. Immediately next to the athletes is a huge placard bearing the logo of the CSD.

This led, the athletes explained, to “one of those pieces of foolishness that happen when friends get together.” Members of the CSD and RFEA termed the incident “Olympic stupidity.”

The three said they would accept whatever disciplinary action may be forthcoming, and reiterated the gestures did not contain “any intention or political ideology.” In their statement they apologized “to those who may be affected and offended” as well as those “who only view it as a party without any importance.”