Greek commentator fired for racist comments about South Korean athlete

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The Greek public broadcaster has fired a sports commentator who made a racist remark on the air about a South Korean athlete competing in the Tokyo Olympics.

Veteran journalist Dimosthenis Karmiris made the comments after Jeoung Young-sik defeated Greece’s Panagiotis Gionis in the third round of the men’s table tennis competition on July 27.

Asked about the skills of South Korean table tennis players, Karmiris commenting on South Koreans’ eyes said: I don’t understand how they can see the ball moving back and forth.

Hours after Karmiris made the remarks, ERT Television said it had ended its collaboration with the reporter, who worked as a guest commentator for the broadcaster.

The broadcaster published a statement on its website several hours later saying racist comments have no place on public television.

The collaboration between ERT and Dimosthenis Karmiris ended today, immediately after the morning broadcast.

Viewers reacted in horror to the comments online, describing the remarks as unfathomable and absolutely ridiculous.

Jeoung beat Gionis 7-11, 11-7, 8-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-6, 14-12 to advance to the round of 16.

The tenth seed from South Korea saved seven match points in a row in a hotly contested meeting.

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