A Russian figure skating champion who lit the Winter Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony in Sochi on Friday apologized for a racist tweet that included a photo of President Obama, claiming that her account was hacked.
I respect the Obama family and apologize for not clearly stating earlier that I don’t support the tweeted photo or racism in any form. (1/2)
— Irina Rodnina (@IRodnina) February 10, 2014
My account was hacked and I should have shown better judgement in my initial response and handling of the event. (2/2)
— Irina Rodnina (@IRodnina) February 10, 2014
In September 2013 Irina Rodnina, an MP from Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party and a triple Olympic champion figure-skater, tweeted a photo of Obama with a banana photoshopped into the foreground. Bananas are often used to taunt black athletes in Russia, according to the Guardian.
At the time, Rodnina defended the tweet and said she received the photo from friends in America.
“Freedom of speech is freedom of speech, and you should answer for your own hang-ups,” she wrote.
