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.
https://twitter.com/papaxristoutj/status/227152669129732096
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.
https://twitter.com/papaxristoutj/status/228063792376991744
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.”
https://twitter.com/papaxristoutj/status/228097909349052416
