Following months of online bullying, Jamaican runner Junelle Bromfield is now unsure of her future as a representative of Jamaica as it relates to sports.
During the height of the Olympics, while most athletes enjoyed praise from their fellow countrymen, Bromfield faced attacks online as her loyalty to Jamaica was questioned by local athletic fans. Bromfield is scheduled to share her story on Sim Soul Sessions, which is hosted by veteran broadcaster Simone Clarke.
Ahead of the interview, Clarke shared a sneak peek and some behind-the-scenes look at their interview on Friday. Unlike previous episodes of Sim Soul Sessions, Bromfield was interviewed not in Jamaica but in Orlando and can be seen on the show’s impromptu set with Noah Lyles.
According to Clarke, after watching the backlash unfold, she invited Bromfield to come on her programme. However, due to the death threats and continued bullying, the athlete is now afraid to return to Jamaica.
Determined to have her share her story, Clarke flew to Orlando to interview Bromfield, who also spoke on the loss of her mother and two brothers during the show. Captioning a video post in which Bromfield said she had to disable her inbox because of multiple threats, Clarke shared that the runner is contemplating her future as a Jamaican athlete.
“[ … ] She’s now processing the fire from a fan base that has questioned her loyalty to country out of the recently held Olympics. She wasn’t ready for the online hate and hurt hurled at her – from her own people. Cyberbullying, colorism, and even death threats. It has all left her questioning her future in track, not only whether she wants to do it anymore, but if she wants to do it for Jamaica,” Clarke wrote.
View Clarke’s post below.
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