Tag Archives: Summer Olympics

Voula Papachristou Expelled From Olympics Made Racist Comments On Twitter

Blogged By: De De Tillman

Source: Yahoo Sports

Posted: Wednesday July 25, 2012 @8:35 p.m PST

 

The Hellenic Olympic Committee – Greek’s Olympic federation – made the decision to expel Papachristou from the Olympic team after she made a racist comment on Twitter.

 

“With so many Africans in Greece … at least the West Nile mosquitos will eat homemade food!!!,” Papachristou wrote. She also reposted a comment from controversial Greek politician Ilias Kasi diaris, who has strongly criticized his government’s “soft” immigration policy.

When Papachristou realized she might not be allowed to participate in the Olympics, she tried to apologize  by saying.

“I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless joke I published on my personal Twitter account,” she said. “I am very sorry and ashamed for the negative responses I triggered, since I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights.”

It was too late the damage was done. Greek Olympic chiefs consulted with senior members of the Greek parliament, including aides to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, before making their decision.