Greek Olympian Expelled from Olympics After Posting Racist Tweet
ATHENS, Greece — One Olympian’s dreams are dashed. After posting a racist comment on Twitter, Greece triple jump champion Voula Papachristou was expelled from the 2012 Olympics.
The Hellenic Olympic Committee said on Wednesday that Papachristou is “placed outside the Olympic team for statements contrary to the values and ideas of the Olympic movement.”
According to KeepTalkingGreece.com, Papachristou’s racist comment ignited a wave of fury among Internet users within minutes of her posting it. Some called her a “Nazi.” Others asked for the Greek Olympic Committee to expel her.
Με τόσους Αφρικανούς στην Ελλάδα..
Τουλάχιστον τα κουνούπια του δυτικού Νείλου..θα τρώνε σπιτικό φαγητό!!!—
βούλα Παπαχρήστου (@papaxristoutj) July 22, 2012
Papachristou’s tweet, posted July 23, 2012, read, “With so many Africans in Greece… At least the West Nile mosquitoes will eat home made food!!!”
Once her critics spoke out, Papachristou took to Twitter to apologize.
Ζητώ συγνωμη αν άθελα μου προσεβαλα ανθρώπους!δεν εχω καμία αναμηξει με τα πολιτικά!!!ειμαι Αθλήτρια και μονο!!—
βούλα Παπαχρήστου (@papaxristoutj) July 25, 2012
On July 25, she tweeted: “I apologize if I insulted people! I have no mingling with politics!!! I am only Athlete!!”
After being expelled, Papachristou posted again on Twitter, saying, “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.”
I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless joke I published on my personal (cont) tl.gd/ih3mcp—
βούλα Παπαχρήστου (@papaxristoutj) July 25, 2012
