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Is Olympic athlete's suspension legal?

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    Controversial tweet gets member of Greek team banned from competition

  • Duration 6:22
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-- court is back in session on the docket today a top athlete banned from competing in the Olympic Games.

Because of some tweets she sent out.

Triple jumper -- blew up -- -- out of Greece has been removed by the Hellenic Olympic Committee.

Because of a tweet she wrote that sparked a firestorm of criticism.

Many people saying it was blatantly racist.

Earlier this week a 23 year old posted on her Twitter account quote.

With so many Africans in Greece at least the mosquitoes of west Nile will eat homemade food.

She later issued an apology saying quote.

I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless joke I've published in my personal Twitter account.

I'm very sorry and shame for the negative responses that triggered since I never -- to offend anyone or to encroach on human rights.

Turning now John is -- war former prosecutor now defense attorney Arthur right -- up with the very same pedigree and and the question is whether she's -- she's great she's not American but she's been booted by the Greeks.

From the Greek Olympic team worked their whole life to get to this point named -- team over so many others.

And now gets booted it.

From the Greek Olympic team because of that -- John -- -- -- the rules and I think if -- Olympic athlete it's not just about how fast you can -- or how high you can jump.

You have to be the entire package in the Olympic committees.

Have a set of rules and -- and bylaws that you as an athlete are not to offend she offended them she's got to -- Go ahead are there.

I don't know I think you know in this world of always being politically correct coming I'm afraid to -- -- what I feel which is I don't.

I don't think what she's that is so long horrible that she deserved the death penalty which he's basically what she got I mean she referred to.

And and you start publicly saying.

These -- people who you live in Europe people live in the United States of America and I spent a lot of time in Europe.

And like the -- Africans there is nothing wrong with that.

And west of denial is a -- in Africa where there in the buyers that mosquitoes communicate and mean it this time stupid.

-- -- you or other tweets there were other we'll let you feel when I know if she's somehow affiliated or she has raised.

Some extreme organization that they described as near fascists.

That you know she likes apparently but the question is I'll start with you on this are there.

Whether you know we really want to get to a practice in Greece or elsewhere banning our Olympic athletes because we don't like the groups that -- affiliated.

So I mean I would have to say absolutely not mean -- I'm an American right so why I believe and -- and freedom of association.

That's one of all foundation so if you band every Major League Baseball player a national football player because of what.

What church they went to what political party they went or even the ones and extremist party.

That that would not that's not very -- Eric and let you -- -- look at participates in the Olympic Games John I mean you're gonna have a lot of anti Semitic.

Nations.

-- folks from those nations -- believe that those police may be anti is -- And our Barbara -- going through everybody's prejudices and then start banning the individual athletes.

The game start to look a little different.

But I think there's a fine line there I'm sure there are plenty unfortunately prejudice athletes that participate in the -- the difference it.

She goes into Wii -- and millions and millions of people.

Today before the opening ceremony you know if she wants it -- have all the -- she wants.

From her living room which he's not two days away from you know competing and she made a mistake by putting it out there and putting it out there way doesn't look don't.

You think you would have been more appropriately -- -- from the opening ceremonies and the closing ceremonies but allowed her to do what she was there to do.

Actually shoot you know she -- has spent -- whole life.

Probably you'll have to millions of oh is a practice.

And ended up and now he got undergo I'll take her place happily who didn't -- it -- it's bad I mean is that it is the punishment.

Fit the crime.

I can see it taking her out of tonight's ceremony she can't stand there and wave the flag and shades -- the same at the end but did you allow would have what does it shouldn't hurt anyone -- I.

-- again.

They highly know that one quote did you read about letting -- just used a racial slower or anything like that she makes about it but she does it after I.

-- -- -- -- -- Not at all that you know con men in the web and that I don't who was not go that route -- These does -- I -- yeah I wanted to -- anything like that I agree I'm not saying it's not stupid it's not wrong.

I just don't and tasteless I just don't think it rises to the level for the death penalty what about.

-- -- Greece Greece has some free speech rights recognized but not anywhere near to the extent we do in this country and yet.

This country to punished our own athletes in 1968.

In the wake of that black arm band controversy remember that they held in the arm -- it was all about south South Africa whether they be readmitted to participate in the games.

And we -- -- I think we yanked our players off the team.

So is it doesn't have to do with free speech on -- does that have to do with the way you are going to represent your country and whether people will look -- you would think politics.

Verses at lettuce as.

I think it's I think it's mostly the latter and if you look at the Olympic Committee will they get a lot of things not just prejudiced remark you can't average -- for example -- you know different companies in such.

So I think you're supposed to represent the entire package -- the privilege you guys did not have a right to go to the Olympics by any means doing it you stand out.

-- -- -- -- Wanted to prove that old do you learn from your years of hard work and the competition and you get there are our Olympic all star Olympian this swimmer is caught with.

Felt allegedly smoking some substance out of the bomb two years ago that there aren't.

That's a crime and it should you've been banned from the Olympics that's a crime this sort of not committed a crime we we know we have to use common sense and judgment and and -- they said the punishment should fit the crime I just think this was way.

This is real tough for this -- this -- for the rest of.

Well her coach came out and said that he believes this is too harsh but the decision has been made and she will not be competing.

In these Olympic Games panel thank give us some not so much great weekend -- in your thoughts on -- follow me on Twitter at Megan Kelly let me know what you think.

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