2012 Olympics: Greek Triple Jumper Removed From Olympics After Racist Twitter Comment

Rucuss staffJuly 25, 2012

Greek Olympic qualifier Voula Papachristou ruin any chance to compete for a gold medal at this year’s event.

Papachristou, who was scheduled to fly to London next week from her training base in Athens, was banished from the Olympic Games after making racist comments and expressing right-wing sentiments on Twitter Wednesday. Greek’s Olympic federation made the decision to expel her from the team, Foxnews reports.

Papachristou made a racist comment on Twitter (@papaxristoutj) that highlighted the number of African immigrants in Greece.

She tweeted,“With so many Africans in Greece … at least the West Nile mosquitos will eat homemade food!!!”

The 23-year old also reposted a comment from controversial Greek politician Ilias Kasidiaris, who has strongly criticized his government’s ‘soft’ immigration policy.

Papachristou’s tweet received plenty of angry responses, but she didn’t give an apology until Wednesday when she thought she might lose her spot in the Olympics.

“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.”

Papachristou’s initial reaction to the negative comments was to tweet on Tuesday,”That’s how I am. I laugh. I am not a CD to get stuck!!! And if I make mistakes, I don’t press the replay! I press Play and move on!!!”

The Greek Olympic federation decided to kick Papachristou off the team in hopes of avoiding a backlash from anti-racism protestors at the Games.

Wonder if she’s laughing now.