Fair or Not? Olympian Banned for Racial Tweet

You work all your life and you have that one window that comes but once where you are the right age and at the top of your game to participate in the Olympics.  Let us not forget that most Olympic athletes are young, some children.  Kids as young as 14 I think in gymnastics.  Most are in their early twenties.  Do you remember how many dumb things you did in your early twenties?  In fact, they say the dorms where the athletes stay are one big party, with sex, alcohol and rock and roll.  Just imagine college dorm rooms where everyone is in perfect shape…

Voula Papachristou – Age 23, banned for racist tweet

If you miss your window, in most sports you will never be able to make it again.  So, I ask you, is this fair or not?

Greek Olympian Voula Papachristou was booted from her country’s Olympic team this week after posting a racial joke to Twitter — and now says the punishment has left her “very bitter and upset.”

The triple jumper posted a tweet earlier this week that roughly translated to: “With so many Africans in Greece…at least the West Nile mosquitoes will eat homemade food!!!”

She later apologized for the tweet, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Greek Olympic Committee from expelling her from the Games.

Don’t get me wrong, the tweet was racist and in poor taste.  However, out of all the thousands of athletes from around the world, how many others do you think have said worse this week, but did not put it in a public tweet?  With all the problems in Greece with financial bankruptcy and rioting, they choose this time to ban their own athlete, instead of letting her countrymen cheer her on.

I think a harsh reprimand, a public apology, and doing an interview to apologize would have been enough.  She is 23, younger than both my son and daughter.  At 23 I said a lot of stupid things I regret.  But banned from competition in the Olympics?  I think it is too harsh.