A Greek sports TV commentator was canned Tuesday after making a shocking on-air comment about the shape of a South Korean Olympic athlete’s eyes.
The remark by Dimosthenis Karmiris, in reference to table tennis player Jeoung Young-sik, was deemed racist by ERT television, who subsequently cut ties with the veteran journalist.
“Their eyes are narrow so I can’t understand how they can see the ball moving back and forth,” Karmiris said with a laugh when asked about the skill of South Korean table tennis players.
Karmiris made the comment after Young-sik defeated Panagiotis Gionis of Greece in men’s table tennis.
Later Tuesday, ERT announced the firing of Karmiris.
“Racist comments have no place on public television,” the network said in a statement.
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“The collaboration between ERT and Dimosthenis Karmiris was terminated today, immediately after the morning show.”
With Post wires
