Triple jumper, Paraskevi Papachristou, expelled from the Greek olympic team for racist tweet

Policy Response DateJuly 25, 2012 Country: Greece Address: Athens General Type: Racist discourse Racism and discrimination phenomena: Anti-migrant/xenophobia, Afrophobia
Groups affected / Interested in: Migrants, Africans/black people Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Internet, Anti-racism Hate speech/Racist Discourse Medium: Social media (Twitter, Facebook etc.)

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Greek triple jumper Paraskevi Papachristou was withdrawn from the London Olympics by the Greek Olympic Committee after posting a racist comment on her tweeter account about African immigrants. She wrote: "With so many Africans in Greece... the West Nile mosquitoes will at least eat homemade food!!!" [1].

The Greek committee justified its decision by saying that Papachristou had been "placed outside the Olympic team for statements contrary to the values and ideas of the Olympic movement" [2].

Sources:

  1. The Independent, 25.07.2012, Greek triple jumper Paraskevi Papachristou withdrawn from Olympics following racist tweet about African immigrants, http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/greek-triple-jumper-paraskevi-papachristou-withdrawn-from-olympics-following-racist-tweet-about-african-immigrants-7976442.html, Accessed on 26.07.2012.
  2. BBC, 25.07.2012, Greek Olympian Papachristou expelled for 'racist tweet', http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18987678, Accessed on 26.07.2012.