Greek Triple jumper Voula Papachristou has been expelled from Greece’s Olympic team this week for mocking African immigrants and expressing support on Twitter for the far-right Golden Dawn party. Despite the obnoxious content of these views for many of us, I believe that the move raises serious free speech concerns.
Papachristou was removed from the team because her tweets were viewed as “plac[ing her] outside the Olympic team for statements contrary to the values and ideas of the Olympic movement.”
Papachristou is responsible for several retweets and postings of YouTube videos promoting the views of Golden Dawn, which is viewed as a virtually fascist organization by critics. The most serious matter however came with a tweet on a story of the appearance of Nile-virus-carrying mosquitoes in Athens. Papachristou wrote: “With so many Africans in Greece, the West Nile mosquitoes will be getting home food!!!” The tweet produced a firestorm of criticism.
She was also criticized for several of her retweets were original tweets by Ilias Kasidiaris, the Golden Dawn spokesman who recently struck a female Communist MP in the face and threw water at another female MP during a TV talk show. Papachristou tweeted to Kassidiaris on his name day, last Friday, “Many happy years, be always strong and true!!!”
She posted apologetic messages on Twitter and Facebook, stating “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.”
This is not the first time the games have faced such a controversy. Indeed, these tweets are minor when compared to the protest of African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Games. Notably, the U.S. opposed the expulsion of the athletes from the games but yielded when the entire U.S. team was threatened with expulsion. I thought the protest in 1968 was inappropriate and deserving of punishment given the tradition and rules of the international games regarding political statements at the competition. In this case, however, Papachristou engaged an inappropriate joke and associated with an controversial party before the start of the games.
The decision to remove the athlete in my view is a core violation of free speech. The political association criticism is particularly worrisome as a cited basis for the action. Many athletes have historically been connected to political parties or movements from black liberation to environmental causes. This appears a case of selective prosecution. Likewise, the joke was tasteless and obnoxious. However, she apologized for it. Moreover, she is allowed to hold anti-immigration views. I agree that she is given an honor to represent a nation and can be expected to refrain from such comments during her participation. However, the impression is that it is the holding of these views and not necessarily the timing that prompted such action. If Papachristou had made such jokes last year, would it still be a basis to bar her from the team? While she insists it was a joke, the controversy does raise the question of whether a racist should be barred due to his or her views. In my view, they should not be barred though they can be expected to refrain from such comments while on the team representing a nation. There are many athletes with known anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim or misogynistic views that are common to their countries. They are not barred from competition. If we start to bar athletes on unacceptable views, where to we draw the line? I understand the uproar and I believe that Papachristou was rightfully forced to apologize because she is representing Greece. However, I am disturbed by the outcry over her political views and the demand for her removal.
What do you think?
Source: Yahoo
Sorry bettykath, rcampbell used words in all caps and hyperbole about killing off bigotry (or bigots?) so is clearly right.
Though I am curious. Pray how tell, do we stop EVERY instance of intolerance? And who actually determines what is intolerant? Perhaps we employ a police that is not out in the open, a secret police if you wil. They can in turn go hunt, er, I mean indentify, people who do not speak according to the standards set forth. And these standards can be set by an enlightened few who know what is best for all since you will never have consensus.
I actually defected from a communist regime and one that only arose in a short span of time. That said, totalitarianism did not happen over time. It was small chips at liberty done in the name of benevolence empowered by those fueled by emotions such as rcampbell.
Her joke was racist and in very bad taste. She has apologized for it. She should not be banned. If she were to continue with intemperate remarks she should be removed b/c her apology would be shown as insincere, imo.
I suspect she moves in circles that encourage that kind of talk. Now she knows that there are a lot of people who disapprove. Maybe it will influence her behavior, and, possibly but less likely, her attitude, in the future.
I am torn. I agree with mespo, but also would have like to see her get beaten badly in competition by all the Africans. I imagine they would all perform a personal best if they were competing against her.
Sheh should have the right to speak as she pleases. Mespo, I bet the Greek olympic team is sponsored or paid for by the Greek government, at least partially. I am not sure it is a totally “private” party.
Good point prof and mespo……. She may say as she wishes….. But then…. There is the monetary fall out in bailing out Greece that might be hampered…..
Agree with mespo, blouise and Roger Campbell.
Ignoring or tolerating intolerance regardless of its source, be it an athlete, a politician or street sweeper, allows the bigot the luxury to interpret that silence as acceptance. That’s how bigotry spreads. Bigotry and intolerance are evil. They drain our humanity like a vampire and as such must be exposed to the light of day in EVERY instance in order to kill them.
I agree with mespo and, to exercise my free speech rights on this forum, also with mr.ed.
I grew up in an ethnic, blue collar town. We traded barbs both good naturedly and otherwise. I still believe the best remedy is for African athletes to give it right back to her. She’s Greek for chrissake..it’s a target rich enviroment! Said by an Italian who are quite similar to Greeks.
MikeS said it first.
To which I add:
The atheletes are now recognized as full professionals. They use the games as career enhancing events. That they use them to support political goals was worthy and is worthy, as the causes worth is the basis for judgement.
However, then comes the practical limits. How long can victory ceremony segments be allowed to take.
The Olympic agreements are essentially hypocritical oaths IMHO. And worthless therefore.
The problem of course is who will enforce the Olympic peace. Words breed feelings. Will the games end in a dance-for-all or a free-for-all?
Guns next? Or just placards?
Excuse it in her hair color.
She repreesents Greece right nnow, I agree with them. Do it after the olympics
“Also, given that this is the 40th anniversary of the murder of 8 members of the Israeli Olympic team it is curious that requests for a minute of silence for remembrance have been denied.”
Just Britain caving to a growing Muslim population and worried about riots and bombings at the games.
the socialists have screwed Greece up so now the Greeks are starting to embrace fascism to clean up the mess socialism made? That makes about as much sense as riding a jackass backwards after it couldnt be ridden facing front.
I couldn’t disagree more regarding Smith and Carlos since I thought that their silent protest was both merited and dignified. However, let’s be honest about so-called Olympic “Ideals”. The history of the Games has from the start been one riddled with racism, bigotry, excessive greed, and rabid nationalism. The banning of this girl is yet one more example of the olympic hypocrisy. For a concise history of this spectacle Google Frank DeFord on the Olympics.
Incidentally, I wonder how many members of Germany’s 1936 Olympic Team were members of the NAZI Party? Also, given that this is the 40th anniversary of the murder of 8 members of the Israeli Olympic team it is curious that requests for a minute of silence for remembrance have been denied.
This is not to say that I refuse to watch the games. The athletes are wonderful and their stories generally inspiring. However, when the pious hypocrisies are spouted and the unfortunate NBC network jingoism is displayed, I tune out.
Also a valid point, mespo.
If she had a right to be included in the games I would agree with you, but the Olympics are a private party with participation by invitation. She insulted the other guests and her invitation was revoked. I see no government intervention here that would trigger traditional notions of our First Amendment, so all I can say in “Bon Voyage.’
Perhaps they could add bad political or cultural speech (against the wrongs of one’s own culture) to the Olympic games. T
he U.S. would do quite well, and those who are culturally unaware would have a “free zone” … wanna bet that N. Korea would not do very well?
Perhaps it’s just me, but I don’t really care in general what an athlete opines about politics. Just because they can run fast and jump high doesn’t mean they can think. The idea that celebrities have some kind of special insight into the topics of law and politics simply by merit of their celebrity is and always shall be ridiculous. That being said, the apology demand was appropriate given the circumstances – she is an Olympic representative of Greece and her comment was inappropriate in the that context. However, calling for her removal? Is simply going too far. What her personal politics are to her profession is irrelevant. She can be a fascist all she likes and suffer the same social marginalization and stigma that all fascists deserve, but unless she’s running for office or in line for a job where she might be given power over others? Her personal politics are irrelevant to her job.
I agree with you. If she was “actually” representing Greece and made these views it would be one thing. A personal, though bigoted, personal tweet is another.