Greece Expells Triple Jumper Voula Papachristou From the 2012 London Olympics Over Racist Tweet

Greece has kicked triple jumper Voula Papachristou off of their 2012 Olympic team after a racist tweet. In response to her tweet the Hellenic Olympic Committee stated, "(Papachristou) is placed outside the Olympic team for statements contrary to the values and ideas of the Olympic movement."

For those easily offended, skip down to the next paragraph. The tweet was Papachristou's attempt at humor, tweeting "With so many Africans in Greece, the West Nile mosquitoes will be getting home food!!!" Papachristou's twitter has been known to be controversial in the past as she uses it as a platform to promote her political beliefs.

In response to the uproar of negative tweets she was receiving, Papachristou began flooding her twitter and Facebook account with apologies, the first 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."

Unfortunately for Papachristou her Olympic dreams are over for the current time. It is a tough lesson, but it should be used as an example for all athletes in any sport. Most people do not care what your political beliefs are, and as an athlete it is not your responsibility to state them. Keep your political rants and jokes under control and do your job.