Olympic Athlete Kicked Out Of Olympics After Racist Tweet

by Jessica Festa on

July 27 will mark the first day of the Olympic Games, and participating athletes are certainly excited. Many are even taking to social media to express their feelings and, while mostly positive, some are having a bit of trouble watching what they say.

This was the case for Greek triple jumper and track and field athlete Voula Papachristou, who tweeted a racist comment in her native language about African immigrants. According to Digital Trends, the tweet translated to, “With so many Africans in Greece … At least the West Nile mosquitoes will eat home made food!!!”

After followers criticized the remark and called it insensitive, Papachristou deleted the comment and apologized on her Facebook page, saying she was “very sorry and ashamed” and “never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights.”

Unfortunately, the apology was not accepted, at least not by Olympic’s officials, and the athlete has been banned from competing.

Papachristou’s coach, George Pomaski, does not agree with the punishment, stating, “It’s too much, the penalty should not have been so strict. She has already apologized for her remarks. This is a big disappointment not only for her but for her family and for myself, and anyone involved in the Greek team.”

Do you think Papachristou’s punishment was too harsh?

Can’t Find A Hotel For The Olympics? Sleep In A Taxi

by Jessica Festa on

Worried about where to stay during the 2012 London Olympics? No problem if you can’t find a hotel, as taxi driver David Weekes has turned his black cab into a comfortable hotel room.

Not only does the “accommodation” come with a foam mattress, duvet, pillow with official Olympic pillow case and bedside lamp, but also a Paddington Bear teddy, solar-powered fridge, a radio and an iPad. For those interested, the taxi hotel is £50 (about $78) a night, and you can visit the Wimdu website to book.

“I’m really excited that the Olympics are coming to the city but it’s going to be a nightmare for cab drives,” says Mr. Weekes. “So when I heard that I could rent out my taxi on Wimdu, I thought it was a no-brainer – after all, who knows London better than a cabbie?”

The only stipulation is guests must be packed up and gone before Mr. Weekes starts his shift in the morning. Moreover, those staying in the taxi can choose if they would like to stay outside of Mr. Weekes’ house in north London, where they would be able to use his bathroom, or somewhere else possible by law.

[image via Wimdu]

Video Of The Day: Crazy Bikers Race Down Glacier

by Libby Zay on

It appears as though crazy bike stunts and dangerous urban bike courses just aren’t enough of an adrenaline rush anymore. In Saas-Fee, Switzerland, bikers push riding to the extreme as they pedal down a glacier in a death-defying race. A handful of the 142 riders mounted cameras to their bikes and helmets so us less adventurous (and perhaps more sane) types can get a feel for the crazy race. Riders reached speeds over the 80 mph mark as they dashed over ice and snow from a starting height of 3,500 meters to 1,700 meters. This year’s winner, Charlie Di Pasquale, completed the race in 7:31. Anyone out there up for giving it a try next year?

These US Hotels Are Helping Guests Get In The Olympic Spirit

by Jessica Festa on

Want to celebrate the 2012 Olympic Games, but can’t make it to London? These U.S. hotels are offering Olympic-themed packages to guests.

Loews Coronado Bay
San Diego, California

To help guests get excited for the upcoming Olympics, Loews Coronado Bay is offering an array of Olympic activities for families. These include:

  • Tennis camps with former Olympic athlete Angelica Gavaldon at the resort’s three bayside tennis courts
  • Dive-in screenings of the Olympic Games, displayed on a giant screen by the resort’s outdoor swimming pools and Marina Terrace
  • “Coronado Cup” keelboat sailing lessons and sunset sailing excursions on the Coronado Bay

Rates begin at $209 per night, excluding Olympic activities. Click here to book.Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
Santa Monica, California

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is getting in the Olympic spirit by offering an array of sporty activities. Guests can enjoy:

  • Private beach volleyball lessons on Muscle Beach with former Olympic athletes
  • Customized rings, balance beam and parallel bar routines on the beach
  • Sculling and rowing lessons, offered through the UCLA Miami Aquatic Center

Families can also add on a “Bed and Breakfast” package, which includes a $50 daily credit toward breakfast.

Rates begin at $459 per night. Click here to book.

Affinia Hotels
Various Locations In New York and Washington D.C.

In support of the movement to make yoga an Olympic sport, Affinia Hotels is offering yoga at check-in with the “Affinia Yoga Check-In Challenge.” During the Olympics, July 27 to August 12, guests can show off their yoga skills upon arrival by completing one, two or three levels of poses. Each pose will give them the chance to win a prize. The poses, from easy to difficult, include:

  • Tree Pose: Bronze Prize- Cupcake
  • Downward Facing Dog: Silver Prize- Bottle of wine
  • Head-to-Knee: Gold Prize- $25 MyAffinia credit

If they wish, guests who complete the “head-to-knee” challenge can get their photo taken to be entered into the hotel’s online version of the contest. The winner will be chosen by Affinia Facebook fans, and will receive a complimentary three-night stay in the Affinia property of their choice.

Rates start at $179 per night. Click here to book.

The Hotel @ Times Square
New York, NY

Want to celebrate the Olympics in a unique way? From July 27 until August 12, The Hotel @ Times Square is featuring a variety of “unsporty” packages, to help guests steer clear of The Games. Offers include:

  • Sprint From Shop To Shop- Guests receive a VIP coupon book for Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, directions and two bottles of water ($244.99 per room, per night).
  • Pick The Museum Mile Not A Marathon- Participants will get two tickets to the Metropolitan Museum of Art ($259.99 per room, per night).
  • Drop The Opening Ceremony For Real Historic Shows- Package entails two tickets to the “Rock Around The Block Tour” of Greenwich Village to explore where Dylan, Hendrix and Blondie made history ($291.99 per room, per night).

Click here to book.

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
Houston, Texas

From July 27 through August 12, The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa will be celebrating the Olympics with a “London Express” package. The offer includes:

  • An overnight stay in a hotel suite
  • Scones and tea for breakfast in Olivette
  • A couple’s massage at Trellis
  • Dinner at Olivette
  • Swimming, tennis, yoga and exercise in the private Houstonian Club, where one can find many former Olympians
  • Tickets and private transportation to and from The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts to see “The Lion King”

Package rates start at $1,595, based on double occupancy. Click here to book.

Kimpton’s Hotel Solamar
San Diego, California

Kimpton’s Hotel Solamar is helping Olympics enthusiasts save big with their “Gold, Silver, Bronze – everyone wins” offer. The package includes discounts and perks, such as:

  • Book one night and receive 10% off best available rate and parking
  • Book two nights and receive 15% off best available rate and parking
  • Book three nights and receive 25% off best available rate and parking
  • Morning coffee and tea service
  • Hosted evening wine reception
  • 24-hour access to fitness center

Rates start at $131 per night. Must book by July 15. Bookable for stays now through September 30, 2012. Click here to book.

Waldorf Astoria Park City
Park City, Utah

To help guests feel like Olympians themselves, the Waldorf Astoria Park City is offering a private ice-skating lesson with a member of the U.S. National Speed Skating Team and Olympic hopeful. This is the perfect activity for the city, which is a training ground for Olympians.

Offer is available through September 12, 2012, with rates starting at $299 per night, plus $120 per adult for a two-hour lesson. Click here to book.

TradeWinds Island Grand
St. Pete Beach, Florida

In honor of the Olympic Games, TradeWinds Island Grand is hosting an array of family-friendly and athletic activities, including an opening ceremony event, beach Olympics, poolside broadcasts of the Games, a torch relay, gymnastics, fencing, boxing, an inflatable obstacle course, glow-in-the-dark volleyball at night and more. To help make the activities seem more like the real thing, a podium will be placed near the pool for photos and awards. The area will also be adorned with Olympic rings and flags.

Room rates start at $169. Click here to book.

New Bike Club In China Allows You To Cycle On The Roof

by Jessica Festa on

While rooftop lounges, bars and pools are common, have you ever heard of a rooftop bike club? Holland-based NL Architects is bringing Dutch bike culture to southern China with a new concept in cycling.

The rooftop velodrome is actually part of a resort in Sanya in the Hainan province, and will feature a pagoda roof with curves and inclines to increase cyclists’ speed and velocity. Moreover, underneath the track are restrooms, a glass-enclosed cafe and a bike rental area. To get downstairs, a large staircase sits in the center of the track, which appears to float in the air.

Completion of the rooftop bike club is set for the end of 2012.

[photo via nl architects]