Mass. official sorry for dissing gymnasts

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BOSTON, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association spokesman has apologized for calling gymnastics "a girls' sport."

Spokesman Paul Wetzel made the "girls' sport" comment when talking about the MIAA's decision to stop recognizing boys' gymnastics as an official high school sport, The Boston Globe reported.

"It's a "girls' sport," Wetzel had said in the Jan. 24 interview. "When was the last time you watched boys' gymnastics? They don't get on the cover of the Wheaties box. They don't get the endorsements."

The comments received harsh criticism from many gymnasts, including Olympic champion Aly Raisman.

"Extremely disappointing that boys gymnastics is being dropped by MIAA," Raisman tweeted Jan. 27. "This quote upsets me,'" she added, referring to Wetzel's comment.

On Wednesday, Wetzel said: "Sorry I said what I said. I was trying to make a point, and I put my foot in mouth."