It’s like that rhyme…
Spain's Olympic basketball team team is in deep water today for a publicity stunt of them using thier fingers to make their eyes look more Chinese.
AP Photograph
According to the Boston Globe, in an AP story, found here, the stunt was pulled for Seur, the sponsor of the team.
Pau Gasol, the team's center, says "It was something like supposed to be funny or something but never offensive in any way...I'm sorry if anybody thought or took it the wrong way and thought that it was offensive."
Jose Calderon, the team point guard, says the action was meant to be an "affectionate gesture" and the team only did it at the request of a photographer.
The OCA, an organization representing Asian-Pacific Americans, said it found the photo disturbing. "It is unfortunate that this type of imagery would rear it's head at a time that is supposed to be about world unity," said George Wu, the group's deputy director.
Do you think the photo was racist, or affectionate? What do you think should happen to the team? Should the Olympic Committe intervene?