Voula Papachristou: Greek Jumper Expelled From Olympics For Racist Remarks Apologizes
The Greek jumper who was expelled from the Olympics for posting a racist remark on Twitter has released an apology statement after the Hellenic Olympic Committee left her in Athens, Greece for the London Games.
Triple jumper Voula Papachristou sparked an outcry on social media when she tweeted:
"with so many Africans in Greece... at least the West Nile mosquitos will eat homemade food!!!"
Papachristou was referring to a recent outbreak of the West Nile virus in Greece that reportedly left five people sick and killed one person.
According to the BBC, the Greek Olympic Committee later issued a statement that they would take Papchristou "outside the Olympic team for statements contrary to the values and ideas of the Olympic movement."
Isidoros Kouvelos, the head of the Greek Committee stated that Papachristou "showed no respect for the basic Olympian value," according to the report. "She made a mistake and in life we pay for our mistakes."
The 23-year-old posted her extended apology on TwitLonger:
"I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless joke I published on my personal Twitter account," she wrote. "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."
Papachristou is reportedly affiliated with Golden Dawn, an extreme political party which is considered to be a neo-Nazi and fascist. She has shown support of the far-Right group, posting their messages and videos on her social media accounts.
She has won two gold medals at the European Athletics U23 Championships, participated in the 2011 World Championships in Athletics and won a bronze medal at the 2008 World Junior Championships.
