Belgian gymnast sues club over Ramadan discrimination case

The incident erupts on March 3, 2025, during carnival break. On the first day of an intensive six-hour gymnastics training camp, a 17-year-old teenager announces he will not drink water to observe Ramadan. Faced with this refusal, Jacky Materna, president of the Royale forestoise de gymnastique à Bruxelles, gives him a strict ultimatum: hydrate or go home. The young athlete chooses to leave. Now of legal age, he is suing the club before the court of first instance for violation of religious freedom, reveals La DH.

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In this proceeding, the complainant is supported by Unia, the former Centre for Equal Opportunities. The organization considers this exclusion completely disproportionate. It argues that the human body, when nourished at night, possesses the necessary energy for the day and reminds that professional athletes fast without danger. Deeply hurt, the gymnast demands 6,000 euros in compensation, formal apologies, and publication of the forthcoming judgment. Facing what he perceives as an injustice, he has moreover turned his back on the club he had attended since age 11 to switch disciplines.

On the management side, accusations of discrimination are categorically rejected. The president stands by a decision made "as a prudent guardian" to prevent muscle tears, dizziness, or serious loss of consciousness during acrobatics. "My only goal [...] was to ensure his own health," insists the director, who refuses to fuel religious controversy. To avoid any future dispute, the internal regulations now mandate mandatory hydration at least every 45 minutes.

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This defense strategy does not convince regional authorities. Contacted by Unia, the Fédération francophone de gymnastique felt compelled to apologize to the young man and his mother for the lack of constructive dialogue from the coaching staff. The institution deeply regrets this incident, which it describes as a situation "a far cry" from its own values founded on respect.