- Georgie Parker makes public apology to Mel McLaughlin
- Parker publicly backed Chris Gayle during 2016 scandal
- Gayle made ‘sexist’ remarks to McLaughlin live on air
Aussie Olympic hockey star turned media identity Georgie Parker has made a heartfelt apology to sport presenter Mel McLaughlin for not backing her during the Chris Gayle sexism scandal.
In 2016, Gayle faced severe backlash for ‘sexist’ and ‘inappropriate’ comments made to Channel Seven star McLaughlin live on air during a BBL match.
The West Indies batting great – on the books of the Melbourne Renegades at the time – tried to flirt with the glamorous TV presenter, suggesting they go have a drink together after the interview.
He then infamously stated ‘don’t blush, baby’ as McLaughlin looked visibly embarrassed in the live cross as she asked Gayle about his innings.
Gayle later apologised, labelling the comments ‘a simple joke’ – but was still fined $10,000.
Parker says at the time of the incident she was ‘young and naive’ and publicly sided with Gayle, but she now sees things very differently.
Former Aussie hockey star turned media identity Georgie Parker (pictured) has apologised to sport presenter Mel McLaughlin
Parker says she publicly backed cricketer Chris Gayle during the 2016 sexism scandal surrounding his comments to Seven star Mel McLaughlin on live TV (pictured) – and she was wrong to do so
‘I sided with a man who made a female feel uncomfortable, instead of the female broadcaster, and I am now embarrassed for doing that,’ Parker wrote in column for The West Australian.
‘I hadn’t yet worked in the industry, and I was desperate to. I was still an athlete studying journalism with dreams of being a sports broadcaster.
‘I wanted to be the “cool” girl, who liked her sport and wouldn’t take herself too seriously, and in doing that I didn’t look deeper at what was in front of me, and was wrong.
‘I am now older and have worked in this industry for long enough to understand how that comment would have made her feel.’
Parker says the recent Marty Sheargold scandal over his comments about the Matildas has made her reflect on her actions and believes society still has a long way to go.
‘Society doesn’t seem yet ready to hear women be loud and opinionated – you just need to look at the comments on any female sports broadcaster’s social media to see that,’ she wrote.
‘I can imagine that it would have been so disappointing for Mel, that when someone like Gayle made the remarks that he did and not even athletes of your own gender have your back.
‘That they didn’t appreciate that in your workplace you shouldn’t be subjected to being made to feel disrespected.
Parker says McLaughlin (pictured) is a pioneer in her field and deserved more backing from people like her
The recent incident involving sacked broadcaster Marty Sheargold had Parker reflecting on her actions
‘Mel is one of several female pioneers who have worked hard to forge a career in a heavily male-dominated industry. She deserved more from people like me back then.
‘Though, while we may have got things wrong in the past reflecting and learning to be better now is a positive step forward.
‘You may have realised, like I have, that you said something or laughed along with things you might not now, and while you can’t take those things back, you can do better in the future.
‘We all can. So I’m sorry, Mel. I should have been better then and I will do better now.’
