A day after being barred from Greece's Olympic team for her racist comments, triple jumper Voula Papachristou, released an official statement of apology.
The letter reads: "I have not slept at all and to be honest I am still trying to come to terms with what has happened. 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," as reported on Reuters.
Last Sunday, Papachristou, took to her twitter profile (@papaxristoutj) to tweet, "With so many Africans in Greece, the West Nile mosquitoes will be getting home food!!!"
The comments immediately spurred a viral controversy, triggering an influx of angry responses first on twitter, but then soon transcended past the internet, more and more people grew angry demanding Papachristou be thrown out of the team. Even the nation's Democratic Left Party (one of the three parties constituting the government) released a statement, "Let her make any miserable 'jokes' on social media while watching the games on TV. She definitely cannot represent Greece in London," as reported by the Associated Press.
On Wednesday, The Hellenic Olympic Committee announced that triple jumper was removed from the team and would no longer be heading to London to participate in the Olympics. The committee saying that she was expelled "for statements contrary to the values and ideas of the Olympic movement," as reported by the Associated Press.
Prior to the decision, the former Olympic participant was very casual about the incident, tweeting back "That's how I am. I laugh. I am not a CD to get stuck!!! And if I make mistakes, I don't press the replay! I press Play and move on!!!"
After the decision, there was a change of tone, " I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless joke I published on my personal Twitter account. 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," on her twitter account @papxristoutj as well as her Facebook page.
Regardless of her apology, Greece has decided to move on to the London games without Papachristou. The games will begin with the opening ceremony on Friday, July 27 in London.
