Days before making his dream debut at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bout on July 15 last year, UFC rescinded the offer to the 24-year-old athlete after learning about his right-wing past through the German MMA Amateur Federation (GAMMAF).
Growing up in Leipzig, Germany, Timo was part of a right-wing, hooligan group and took part in an attack at the Connewitz district in Leipzig in 2016 and was arrested.
As a result of the UFC contract being retracted, Timo lost the support of the mixed martial arts community and is struggling to provide for his young family.
Last August, he reached out to GAMMAF to understand why they reported him to UFC and they explained to him that he cannot be given any platform to amplify racism when there are many young fans who see mixed martial arts athletes as role models. Since then, Timo has changed his training partners, his management, and most importantly, distanced himself from his former right-wing groups.
Timo knows that he cannot undo his past actions and behaviour but what he can do is to change his attitude and actions. With the support of GAMMA, Timo has agreed to be the ambassador of their anti-racism programme to educate youths about fairness and inclusion, and the importance of eradicating racism, extremism, and hate. He will give seminars for underprivileged youths and share his story with people who have been exposed to racism. Hopefully, his first-hand experience will enable youths to relate to him better and make better choices in life.
GAMMA wants to use the story of Timo Feucht to make a statement that everybody deserves a second chance because society should focus less on past mistakes and more on what we do to be better.
25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only
Últimas Noticias
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
The IOC says issues concerning governance, finance, and refereeing and judging must be sorted out to its satisfaction. AIBA says it’s confident that will happen and the federation will be reinstated.
McLaren report to FIBA confirms abuses in the Mali women’s basketball program
The investigation could not “independently verify” allegations against FIBA president Hamane Niang, who has resumed his duties after stepping aside during the probe.
ATR Extra: 1st ISF U15 World School Sport Games – Belgrade 2021
Olympic Channel is live streaming the basketball, basketball 3x3, football, judo and wrestling competitions during the event, which runs September 11-19.
International Judo Federation bans Algerian athlete and coach for 10 years for refusing to fight an Israeli at Tokyo 2020
Judoka Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef admitted they were withdrawing from competition to avoid a potential match with Tohar Butbul of Israel.
IIHF bans Belarus hockey president for five years for code of conduct violations - Federation Focus
Also: no contested election for next ITTF president; BWF calendar shrinks as event in India cancelled due to pandemic; FISU announces early bids for 2027 and 2029 World University Games
