ONTD

10:11 am - 07/25/2012

Greece Expels Olympic Athlete Over Racist Tweets


Greece has removed triple jumper Voula Papachristou from the country's team at the London Olympics over her comments on Twitter mocking African immigrants and expressing support for a far-right party.

The Hellenic Olympic Committee says in a statement Wednesday that Papachristou is "placed outside the Olympic team for statements contrary to the values and ideas of the Olympic movement."

Papachristou is in Athens. The committee says she was to travel to London shortly before the track events start.


Translated: “With so many Africans in Greece… At least the West Nile mosquitoes will eat home made food!!!”

Papachristou posted an apology on her twitter page later:
I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless joke I published on my personal Twitter account. I am very sorry and ashamed for the negative responses I triggered, since I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights.

My dream is connected to the Olympic Games and I could not possibly participate if I did not respect their values. Therefore, I could never believe in discrimination between human beings and races.

I would like to apologize to all my friends and fellow athletes, who I may have insulted or shamed, the National Team, as well as the people and companies who support my athletic career. Finally, I would like to apologize to my coach and my family


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freeze_i_say 28th-Jul-2012 07:16 am (UTC)
I get what you're saying and you're right but she got into a lot of bureaucratic trouble too (as she should have) and that's why she's making sure she takes full responsibility so that it doesn't reflect on the administration or country in any way - hence the emphasis on personal.
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