IOC critical of Spanish basketball team ad

BEIJING -- The International Olympic Committee has weighed in on the advertisement featuring the Spanish men's basketball team that some have deemed offensive because it mimics the eyes of Chinese.

"Clearly, it was inappropriate,'' IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said Thursday.

"But we understand the team apologized and the athletes meant no offense whatever. So, as far as we are concerned, the matter rests.''

The ad was for Seur a courier company based in Madrid. The company said it had no plans to pull the ad. But the Times' Bill Plaschke and Mark Heisler both weighed in on the ad earlier.

-- Randy Harvey

Photo: A man in Madrid looks at an advertisement that appeared in the Spanish daily sports newspaper Marca featuring Spain's national basketball team members in uniform pulling back the skin on their eyelids, and smiling.  Credit: Miguel Riopa AFP/Getty Images

Comments

[chuss]

They do not know the Spanish culture, it was a sample of fondness and I respect the Chinese, that so well estan organizing the Olympic Games. They have to be mas professional, without interpreting badly to a culture. I wait that not tengais fear of the champion Spanish of the world and because of it estais angering the Chinese...

[Francisco Agis]

"The Embassy of China in Spain considers it to be an offense neither to the Chinese citizens nor a racist gesture". It is necessary to document well, on the customs of every country and his(her,your) sense of the humor. More when it is a medio of information as a newspaper when it(he) is the one that gives the information. And more scandalous to involve players as Pau Gasol. They are demonstrating what they are. A country of deers exempting honourable exceptions. From Spain.

[rogorn moradan]

Just remember all this Mssrs Plaschke, Heisler and co. the next time you see anyone posing in a Mexican hat. Especially if he's an American person getting a Mexican hat in Spain. Which happens a lot. I think you should be the ones to apologise before Mr Gasol and his team-mates for your interpretation of the matter.

[Manu]

I cant believe it!
I'm a spanish who has been studying in San Francisco! I think the city of all the US with more Asian people! I've been living with a Filipino-Korean family and this expericence has been one of the most importants experiences of my life!

Spain LOVES ALL CULTURES, and that's true! this IS NOT RACISM! It's only a friendly wink! That's all! Come here and see it yourself!

But,,if someone has felt insulted,,we APOLOGIZE! This wasn't our intention!

and PLEASE do not insult one country for a misinterpreted ad!

[Jorge Rodriguez]

En primer lugar les ruego me disculpen por escribir en Español y no en Inglés, pero mi dominio de su lengua nos es suficiente para expresarme correctamente por escrito. Tan sólo deseo decirles que me ofenden sus comentarios con respecto a la selección Española de Basket y especialmente con respecto a Gasol por la imagen en la que aparecen rasgándose los ojos en alusión a los chinos. ¿Quiénes se han creído ustedes que son para acusar a los españoles de racistas? Precisamente USA es y ha sido el país más racista de los últimos siglos. Y no hablemos de la ciudad de los Angeles, donde Negros y Latinos son a diario víctimas de la brutalidad policial y de la justicia parcial de su país. Les recuerdo que nuestro "pequeño país" era el mayor imperio de la tierra cuando ustedes aún no sabían vocalizar y comían carne cruda. Les informo que en España viven cientos de miles de chinos, latino americanos, Árabes, rusos, africanos etc. Y que precisamente tenemos fama de ser el país más tolerante y solidario del mundo, pero eso probablemente ustedes no lo sepan. Les recuerdo además, con el mayor de los respetos, que si el imperio español no hubiera abierto las puertas a la colonización de América ustedes probablemente andarían desnudos y descalzos lanzando flechas. En España nos reímos de ustedes a diario, de su hipocresía y falsa moral, de su incultura y delirios de grandeza. Creen que siguen siendo los dueños del mundo y se equivocan. Ya ni siquiera son los reyes del Basket y eso quizás les produzca resentimiento hacia nuestra selección, actual campeona del mundo. Gasol no debe disculparse, y si lo hace será por seguir la corriente de hipocresía y falsas apariencias que existen en su país. No tengo nada contra su hermoso país y NY es una ciudad que amo y a la que voy siempre que puedo, pero personas como ustedes dan la imagen patética que en Europa tenemos de los Estado Unidenses (dejen de llamarse a sí mismos Americanos, América es mucho más que USA) Desearía que publicaran esta esta carta, aunque dudo mucho que lo hagan, pero si lo hicieran sería un buen gesto por su parte en favor de la mal llamada libertad americana.

[Marcus]

Only those who think of the shape of eyes or indeed any other physical feature as "inferior" or "peculiar" can be insulted by this picture. The Spaniards do not see in this picture anything but a salute to China. So did the Chinese people (pls read and inform about the statement issued by the Chinese embassy in Madrid). What is then the problem? Well, clearly, that Americans (especially some narrow minded Americans like BP) have the germ of racism in this minds, and can only see despise where others intent celebration. That is your problem, Mr BP, that your mind is already corrupted and therefore you cannot perceive and understand other people's gestures only for what they were intended for.

[mariano]

Oh, please. This is not a racist gesture. With this, the spanish team want to msay, we are happy to be in China, we are like the chinese people.

[Mike 1]

This was a bad idea and that is all...Pau Gasol cleared that up! In regard to racism - it runs rampant in far too many places globally - Spain, UK and US are all examples and it is sad in this day and age!

To Daniel Sarrio - to imply that ALL Americans wanted this useless and horrific war and to do so because some schmucks called all Spaniards racist well there you have it a gross mis-generalization to snub another gross mis-generalization - brilliant now I dont't thionk all Spaniards are ignorant, not by any means I enjoyed my semester in MAdrid immensely - but I think you ARE Beyond Ignorant just you - the idiot

[Mike]

First off, I want to state that I don't think Spaniards are racists. That in itself would be a prejudicial statement. Secondly, from postings here, I notice a trend (not a generalization) that some Europeans always find it convenient to point to United States' own checkered past dealing with racism to deflect issues they themselves have at home. If we want to point out things in the past as well as the present, I'd say the Inquisition was a pretty hate-filled historical period in Spain and Europe in general. But, please don't look at that as finger pointing.

Finally, Flamenco dancing? For real? I'd be annoyed on Spain's behalf if an American tourist did that, but it's not the same thing if you are pointing out those physical differences between human beings that have been a dividing issue throughout the history of mankind. My eyes are a different shape than caucasians...get over it. It's not something to use as a tool for hatred OR affection. The more a person of a different ethnic background with real PHYSICAL differences notices other people pointing out those differences, the more uncomfortable and disturbing it is.

[victor]

The whole world knows who is USA (Afganistan, Irak, Vietnam, Death Penalty), and who is SPAIN (Multicultural, Gay marriages...), and I say it from Geneva, Switzerland the home of the biggest USA's international propaganda instrument such as United Nations.
Cheers.

[so stupid]

hahaha
put in the same side your pic when the US got the bronze medal 2 years ago in japan, with the players making the military,s"hello" in the podium... that was really unrespectfull towards the japanesse people...
hahaaha
this columnist is so funny, for sesame street, of course

[Carlos]

Creo que ni ese Sr. ni por supuesto su país "la gran américa" son los más indicados para hablar de racismo...

I think that you are not awolled to speak about racism because you live in one of the most hypocritical and racist country

[david]

en fin, lo q ay q acer es no acer caso a estos periodistas estupidos que intentan yamar la atencion

[George]

Ha ha ha - this is too funny! Is every Spaniard going to post here and try to convince us that they're not racist? Your semi-talented team did something stupid. Why not admit it and learn from it. Why? Because racists don't learn from their mistakes - instead they defend them. The only way you people can convince others that you're not racists is by your deeds, not by your words. It's no wonder that all these Spanish posters are sniveling like babies. Their biggest baby - Pau Gasol - is an example of how effeminate Spanish men are. Despite being a seven foot, 260 pound professional male athlete - he plays like a little girl and cries after every foul like a spoiled little punk. What I don't understand is why we're wasting so much time discussing the racist attitudes of the people of a small insignificant country. Spain is a non-player on the world scene. They contribute little or nothing to our lifestyle. They are indeed a little country of intolerant children. Let's move on to more important topics and let's enjoy the USA trounce the little girls from Spain on Saturday. Andrew Bynum will be back next season and the Lakers can then put Gasol where he belongs - on the bench, or better yet - send him back to Spain where he and his chums can spend the season making fun of others. Hasta la vista - BABY!!!!

[Núñez]

All the controversy is ridiculous... or does it have something to do with the concurrence of Chicago with Madrid for 2016 Olimpics?

Regards

[Carlos F. (madrid)]

Dear Bill Plaschke. There’s just a thing worse than have racial prejudices, and do you know which is? To think that all we have them. You in the USA, they know very well what is racism and in Spain we harmoniously coexisted many different races from before even that your world was discovered. You need a little humility, to know better all people before speaking badly of them and, mainly, shut up your mouth on which does not have any idea. Do you want us to speak about all illegal halting that are made in their airports against free citizens by the fact to belong to an ethnic group (gypsy, Muslim, Spanish)? Maybe you have to apologize us mr. Plaschke.
Is this a political conspiracy to favor the interests of the candidacy of Chicago 2016?
Probably yes.
Regards.

[Javier]

No teneis ni idea de lo que estais comentando, si no entendeis el humor latino no intenteis ser tan listos como os pensais que sois.
Ignorantes.

[Augustin Arca]

NO ENTIENDEN NADA!. CUANDO J.F. KENNEDY ESTUVO EN BERLIN DURANTE EL BLOQUEO SOVIETICO DIJO: YO SOY BERLINES!
EL EQUIPO DE BALONCESTO MUESTRA EN ESTA FOTO EL CARIÑO HACIA EL PUEBLO CHINO DICIENDO A SU MANERA: SOMOS CHINOS.

[Pumba]

george

Do you know anything about your ancestors?

Maybe you´ll have some spanish blood. Remember our guys were the ones that conquest California and give there the word of God.

Poor male, do you need some cultural education.

Have a nice day man.

;-)

[AL]

"Ha ha ha - this is too funny! Is every Spaniard going to post here and try to convince us that they're not racist?"
Posted by: George | August 14, 2008 at 08:34 AM"

I do not think spanierds are trying to convince you they are not racist. What so many comments show is that spanierds and you americans have a different culture background and perception of the racial issue. I am not going to say Spain is not racist. I have lived for several years in USA, Germany, UK and Spain and I have watched racism in all those countries in different ways. I couldn´t say that Spain is more racist than the US. The main difference I notice is the way both countries deal with it. Some of the ways americans avoid calling things with their name, such calling a black person "an afroamerican" (who might have been born in Sweden, still "an afroamerican", because he´s black) are understood by spanish culture as an insult, because they believe that avoiding facts by using euphemisms is accepting there is someting wrong with the avoided fact itself. In America might be a proof of politeness, but in Spain is a demostration of racism to do so when it comes to that issue not to call things the way they see them. As a matter of fact, in Spain to nick someone after a peculiar physical characteristic (or defect) is very common. It might feel cruel under an american point of view, but is accepted and understood in Spain as familiar and even as a sign of fondness.
That is the main reason why so many spanierds here are trying to defend themselfs from the attack of some of the comments published here. They don´t see the offence (specially because of the fact that all this polemic only affects US and UK media) and try to convince America that pic contains not racism in it. Spain does not see it that way, and it is fully normal that you do so, but no one can teach others morality. The main point is the ethics. I think you both agree that no race is superior to others and I am sure that Spain´s intention was never to offend.

[EÑE]

Pero ¿de que os sorprendéis? ¿Que esperáis de un país que tiene a un presidente tan lamentable?

[Jesús Merino]

Not racism at all but, as the Spabish Federation of Basketball has put it, a gesture of affection, sympathy and recognition towards the Chinese people and their country.
No one with common sense can think or believe that the Spanish team are insulting the Chinese publicly and in their own country.
That is bad faith.
By the way, and talking about racism, have a look at North America (Anglo-saxons) and have another look at Central and South America (Spaniards) and count the Indians left.
who is the racist?

[JP]

I am Japanese. I do understand there is no bad intention and that was a friendly gesture on ther term. I have many Spanish friends as welll.

But it is the fact for Asians that historically the gesture has been oftentimes associated with a slander, brought out from the heat of the hatred during the WW. So there are two dimentions of the truth.

But I tihnk if it hurts some people, it's a good tihng to reconsider, replacing it with other ways of expressing the friendship.

No one regardless of their race would feel confortable being generalized down to a visual stereotype, regardless of the presence of hostility or not. We all fee 'made-fun-of.' We are beyond how we look.

I do think American political correctness is over-the-top sometimes, but it wound't hurt to be "culturally sensitive" at the global level.

[Pepe Luis]

Estimado Sr. Plaschke: Deberia usted informarse adecuadamente antes de escribir tonterias como la que ha dedicado a "nuestro" Pau Gasol y demás jugadores de la Seleccción Española de Baloncesto. Y, por supuesto, meditar un poco antes de escribir dando lecciones de lo "politicamente correcto".
Aun no hace muchos años, y actualmente también, andaban ustedes a palos con sus compatriotas de raza negra, que ahora llaman "afroamericanos"; en los años de la segunda guerra mundial, se llevaban a campos de concentración, ahí en California, a los americanos de origen japones, por sus rasgos supongo; ustedes no son quien para dar lecciones al mundo, si consideran que cualquier persona que se llame Mohamed o Yusuf ya es un peligroso terrorista.
Por su apellido, Sr. Plaschke, sospecho que sus antepasados son europeos, posiblemente alemanes o polacos.
Este "pequeño pais" llamado España, dio una cultura a todo el continente americano, y le recuerdo por si no lo sabe, que California, Nuevo Mexico, Nevada, Tejas, Florida y algún otro estado que ahora no recuerdo, tienen nombres españoles, no hispanos, como dicen ustedes, y pertenecieron a la corona española. Sin ir mas lejos, la ciudad de Los Angeles debe su nombre a España.
Para terminar, Sr. Plaschke, si alguien debe pedir disculpas, quizá debería mirar a su alrededor. Tengo entenido que Los Angeles Times pertenece al grupo Tribune Company, que es propietaria de los derechos de emisión de la serie South Park, una de las series mas irrverentes y que trata de forma poco respetuosa a culturas distintas de la conservadora yanki.

[Jin]

I tell you, this pic against Chinese people is just a joke in comparison with what they really do and say EVERYDAY about Catalans and Basques. Pau was born in Catalonia and he is a symbol for Spanish ultranationalism because, despite being "Catalan", he acts and speaks as a Spaniard (that is to say, more or less as a Serbobosnian). They say things about Catalans that if they were said about Jewish or people with a different colour of skin wouldn't be accepted by anyone. But they're only Catalan ("Polish dogs", as Spaniards say to them). They talk about Catalans as if they were a cancer, guilty of everything, an enemy who must be hidden and erased to secure the "Sacred Unity of the Spanish Nation". It's quite disgusting. Yes, Spain is a racist kingdom but this pic, for them, is just a joke...