Trump: Paralympics was “tough to watch”

US President Donald Trump has come under fire for describing the Paralympics as "a little tough to watch."

Speaking at a White House ceremony honouring US Olympic and Paralympic athletes, the President stated: "It's a little tough to watch too much, but I watched as much as I could."

A number of top American athletes from the Winter Olympics were not in attendance at the event, including skater Adam Rippon, and skiiers Lindsey Vonn and Gus Kenworthy.

The trio skipped the ceremony for political reasons.

Rippon wrote on Twitter:

Olympians from the 2018 Games have been invited to go to the White House today. I will not be going. I will not stand with people who discriminate against those that they perceive as different. In lieu of going to DC, I have donated to a few of my favorite causes https://t.co/qDXqswTHdF

— Adam Rippon (@Adaripp) April 27, 2018

The ceremony was attended by around 150 Olympic and Paralympic athletes who had competed at the recent Pyeongchang Winter Games.

It follows news that Trump will come to the UK on an official visit in July this year.

[contf] [contfnew]

CityAM

[contfnewc] [contfnewc]