Gaimin Gladiators issued a statement in response to Quinn Callahan’s derogatory comments about Russia during a recent Dota 2 pub game. The organization released the statement on Oct. 16 after it was revealed that Quinn had referred to Russia as a “trash country” during a game against Russian players.
Here is what Gaimin Gladiators had to say:
Dota 2 Quinn “Quinn” Callahan (Image credit: The International 2024)
Gaimin Gladiators’ Response to Quinn’s Actions
Gaimin’s statement was issued shortly after Quinn’s recent stream, where he made derogatory comments towards another player, stating “you’re born from a trash country,” assuming the player was Russian.
Gaimin reiterated their disapproval of such behavior and emphasized their zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination. They also clarified that Quinn’s insult was not directed at all Russians but was “taken out of context.”
Gaimin stated that they have formally reprimanded Quinn and assured that such incidents will not occur again. The specific actions taken by Gaimin were not disclosed.
Gaimin Gladiators’ statement on Quinn “Quinn” Callahan (Image credit: Gaimin Gladiators)
Incident During Quinn’s Match
Viewers reported that Quinn directed the insult towards a Kazakhstan player unknowingly. Despite being informed of his mistake, he initially refused to apologize but did not want to offend his Kazakhstani teammate, Alimzhan “watson” Islambekov.
This behavior was not surprising to those familiar with Quinn’s typical conduct in pub matches. It seemed to be a regular instance of in-game conflict that escalated due to Quinn’s frustration with the player’s performance.
Quinn’s Apology
Quinn issued an apology on Oct. 17 via Twitter/X:
“Hey I just want to acknowledge the situation and what I said. I made a generalization off of a bad pub game in the heat of the moment and I apologize for that and regret that. And I’m sorry to anyone that was offended or hurt by my words that’s fully my bad. I’m very much a work in progress continuing to try to lessen the crap I say in pubs and this was a very bad moment. Sorry again.”
Gaimin Gladiators and Sponsorships
As a prominent Esports organization, Gaimin relies significantly on sponsorships for their revenue. Winline, a Russian sponsor, plays a significant role, as evidenced by their branding on the team’s jersey.
Therefore, it is not ideal for Gaimin players to make negative comments about Russia or any other country. Given the large number of Russian players in the Dota 2 community, such actions can raise concerns if not addressed officially. Similar incidents involving Russian players have caused uproar in the past.
Quinn’s recent statements on toxicity in Dota following other incidents further emphasize the need for accountability within the professional gaming community.
