Athlete apologizes for tweet that got her expelled from Olympics
The 2012 Olympics experiences its first social media controversy after Greek triple jumper Voula Papachristou mocked African immigrants on her Twitter feed.
“I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless joke I published on my personal Twitter account,” said Greek triple jumper Voula Papachristou. “I am very sorry and ashamed for the negative responses I triggered, since I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights.”
The tasteless joke to which she refers is this tweet, which Papachristou sent on Sunday: “With so many Africans in Greece… At least the West Nile mosquitoes will eat home made food!!”
Her comments reportedly went viral, igniting thousands of negative responses.
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