Triple-jumper Voula Papachristou was booted off Greece’s Olympic squad for a racially insensitive comment posted on her Twitter account. Here’s the deal according to the NY Daily News:
While gearing up for her first Olympic games on Sunday, Papachristou commented on the reported influx of West Nile mosquitos in Athens. She tweeted in Greek, “With so many Africans in Greece, the West Nile mosquitoes will be getting home food!!!” Her tweet provoked a bevy of ill responses, and many Greeks called for her dismissal from the Olympic team.
The reaction her tweet garnered is a testament to the power of social media. I’m sure many Olympians have cracked many questionable jokes over the history of the Olympics, but a tool like Twitter shares inappropriate jokes with the world and leads to expulsion. Giving athletes — many of whom really shouldn’t be addressing millions of people — a platform can be a powerful thing. In Papchristou’s case, a powerful platform led to her demise.
To be completely honest, I had a hard time concentrating on this article. It should be about the power of social media and questioning if Papachrisou’s punishment was just…but the women is stunning! I lost at least an hour “researching” photos of Voula Papachristou. She triple-jumped her way into my heart. *snicker*
People get way too bent out of shape over the most stupid things.
I’d like Voula to bend me out of shape. Wait, is that right?!?
I would like to go first
This chick could bend you into a pretzel and you’d be damn grateful for the opportunity.
-M
In the immortal words on Daniel Bryan, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
Ha! That is funny. I don’t get why it’s insensitive. Outbreak of West Nile virus + large amount of Africans = joke.
The pictures are amazing. Vivid should “research” her as well.
-M
I heard about this earlier today, and I have to say that the punishment seems a bit over the top. However, since the spirit of the Olympic Games is all about unity and stuff, I can see why they were so harsh.