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Brazilian Olympian becomes latest target of racism on Twitter

The Brazilian Olympic Committee is investigating epithets tweeted at women's judo competitor Rafaela Silva.

 

Kris Holt

IRL

Posted on Jul 31, 2012   Updated on Jun 2, 2021, 1:38 pm CDT

Another day, another Olympic racism matter as the Brazilian Olympic Committee looks into possible action against those it says made racist tweets regarding a judo fighter.

The organization said epithets were posted about Rafaela Silva after she was eliminated from the 57-kilogram women’s judo event at the London Games Monday, the Associated Press reported.

While Silva said she doesn’t want to move forward with the case, Brazil Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo said he is asking police to look into the matter and the committee is considering legal action.

Sporting matters aside, the biggest story to emerge from the Olympics so far is the athletes’ relationships with Twitter.

Two athletes—Greek triple jumper Voula Papachristou and Swiss soccer player Michel Morganella—have been expelled by their national committees over racist tweets. Tom Daley faced turmoil from a troll, who was arrested a day after posting malicious tweets about the British diver.

On the American side of affairs, track and field athletes used Twitter to protest an Olympic rule about sponsorships and advertising revenue, saying it inhibits their right to make a living. Team USA soccer star Hope Solo, meanwhile, found herself in trouble after criticizing an NBC commentator.

Photo via YouTube

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*First Published: Jul 31, 2012, 1:28 pm CDT