The 2012 Olympic Games from London starts off with racism and controversy days prior to the opening ceremonies. Voula Papachristou Greece's Olympic hopeful for the Gold Medal in the Triple Jump has been removed from the Greek National team and deemed barred from the Olympic games for her Xenophobic remarks about West Africans in her homeland. On July 22nd 2012 Papachristou using her Twitter account posted the following comment;
“with so many Africans in Greece, at least the West Nile mosquitos will be eating food from their own home.” This comment which is Xenophobic meaning "unreasonably fearful of or hating anyone or anything foreign or strange" has caught fire in the Olympic International Community and viewed as racist by fans and spectators around the globe.
The Greek government issued a statement to the international community following her Twitter post stating
“Racist humor and ”jokes” concerning human lives are not tolerated by the Greek society, can not thrive in Greek athletics. The least the Greek Olympic Committee can do now is to revoke Ms Voula Papachristou from the Olympic Games. Watching the Olympics on TV screen, she could do as many vile ”jokes” she wants through the social media. But for sure, she can not represent Greece in London.”
“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.”
The apology feel on deaf ears as the Greek government has held stead fast in keeping with their ruling and no allowing Papachristou to participate in the 2012 London Olympics. Her comments were definitely misrepresent the peaceful spirit of togetherness that the Olympics represent around the world. Whether Papachristou statement was suppose to be presented as a playful joke or not this is not what the Olympics are about.
In the opinion of JMC Sportsbook, her comment was not in the true definition of racism but her comment hinted with a sense of Xenophobia and of a world citizen athlete who does not realize her own shadow, her own spotlight, an individual that made a stupid decision. She was an Olympic athlete, Olympic athletes should represent the world "well the world is currently at war" but Olympic athletes should represent peace in the world not divide it. Her actions were careless and put out into the public for the world to view and witness. She should of recognized her own shadow, she should of recognized the public and world view of her as a person so this comment shows a lack of understanding her true identity. Since she did not understand her identity as an Olympic athlete, she is no longer an Olympic athlete...
Did the Greek's overreact by removing Papchristou from the Olympic team?
Voula Papachristou Twitter page comment link: https://twitter.com/papaxristoutj/status/227152669129732096
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