LONDON — The supporters and critics of expelled triple jumper Voula Papachristou of Greece battled it out in a spirited debate — on Facebook, where else? — with the rhetoric often turning incendiary and, at times, profane.
She was kicked out of the London Olympics on Wednesday by the Greek Olympic Committee after a racist tweet. Social-media experts had thought that an athlete would probably land in some form of trouble because of a tweet during the Olympics.
But even before the opening ceremony?
As of Thursday afternoon, there were 2,774 comments on her Facebook page, referring to her statement of apology and a steady stream of comments on her Facebook wall. One American supporter started a petition "supporting her bid to compete." As of 2 p.m. (London time), there were three signatures.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old, who didn't even depart for London because the track and field competition starts next week, gave her first extensive interview on the controversy and expulsion, speaking to Reuters in Athens.
"I have not slept at all and to be honest I am still trying to come to terms with what has happened," she told the news agency. "I am trying to stay calm otherwise I would lose control.
"I am thankful to my coach and family and so many other people who have stuck by me.... After so many years of hurt and sacrifices to try and get to my first Olympics I am very bitter and upset. But what has upset me the most is the excessive reaction and speed of the disciplinary decision."
Sudden Sam wrote:Still trying to figure out how what she said was racist.
She said nothing at all demeaning to any race of people.
Exactly. Her little joke was more about geography than anything else. Where is the Nile located? Which group of people tend to live there?
Of course it was un-PC of her to tweet such a quip, but it wasn't racist. And as one writer put it, had the Greek Olympic Committee simply dealt with her in private about it, almost no one would've ever known about it. Instead, by making such a big deal over it, now it's a major news story. They accomplished exactly the opposite of what they wanted.
kcdave wrote: ↑Sat Sep 09, 2023 8:05 am
I was actually going to to join in the best bets activity here at good ole T1B...The guy that runs that contest is a fucking prick
Derron wrote: ↑Sat Oct 03, 2020 3:07 pm
You are truly one of the worst pieces of shit to ever post on this board. Start giving up your paycheck for reparations now and then you can shut the fuck up about your racist blasts.
She tweeted, "With so many African immigrants in Greece, West Nile mosquitoes could eat home-made food."
That's it. She was booted off the Greek Olympic team for tweeting that. Imagine working your ass off for four years to get to the Olympics. You make the team, and a couple of weeks before the Opening Ceremonies your national Olympic Committee informs you that you've been dismissed from the Games over an innocuous, single-sentence tweet you made in jest.
It's a good thing none of us on this board are trying out for the Greek Olympic squad.
That's it? That's some funny fucking shit, but I'm not surprised the least she got bounced. Wish I was bouncing her...
kcdave wrote: ↑Sat Sep 09, 2023 8:05 am
I was actually going to to join in the best bets activity here at good ole T1B...The guy that runs that contest is a fucking prick
Derron wrote: ↑Sat Oct 03, 2020 3:07 pm
You are truly one of the worst pieces of shit to ever post on this board. Start giving up your paycheck for reparations now and then you can shut the fuck up about your racist blasts.
How in the fukk is that the least bit racists. She made a so-so joke about her country being full of Africans. I would like to see what she said before and after to put it in proper context. But, on its own, it isn't at all racist.
mvscal wrote:The only precious metals in a SHTF scenario are lead and brass.
Derron wrote: Who gives a fuck what she said anyway..
People who are not Racists.
Which camp are you in?
... he said for the second time in one day.
I am in the camp that hates little sawed off midget imposter lawyers who come here and tard's up threads every week or so.. the ones like you who parrot a bunch of smack and then leave like the little bitches they are. That camp you little faggot...
Derron
Screw_Michigan wrote: Democrats are the REAL racists.
smackaholic wrote:How in the fukk is that the least bit racists. She made a so-so joke about her country being full of Africans. I would like to see what she said before and after to put it in proper context. But, on its own, it isn't at all racist.
smackie, she made a joke in a tweet. There was no before-and-after context.
