SECOND SPANISH TEAM PHOTO

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, SHAME ON ME! This is how I feel about this whole picture gate issue involving Spain. I was actually going to stay out of this whole discussion because I thought ok, I understand both point of views here, so just let it be. That was, until I saw this picture, and read this story!!!

Apparently this picture was taken last February, and is of the Spain's Women's Federation Cup Team, which was captioned “Estamos preparados para China”, which translates as “We are prepared for China”. This picture and caption can actually be found on The Spanish Tennis Federation's Website.

Now since the picture was taken last February, it looks like the Spanish Basketball Team might be misremembering what actually happened here. They say their sponsor came up with the idea at the photo shoot and they thought it was a nice gesture, so they did it. Was their sponsor at the February photo shoot for the Tennis team too? Or is this just the norm with Spain athletes?

To read a little bit more about what the Spanish Team's reaction was towards this photo, read this.


Gasol said the following about the incident...

"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."

Calderon followed with...

"We felt it was something appropriate, and that it would be interpreted as an affectionate gesture,"

Mr. Calderon, where in the World would this be interpreted as an affectionate gesture, only you would know.

Anyways, after seeing this second picture, and other athletes from Spain doing this gesture, I an convinced this is not an "affectionate gesture". I am not buying these excuses anymore. I tried to understand their point of view and see where they were coming from with the first incident, but after seeing this new picture, can anyone really believe Pau Gasol or Calderon's so called explanations???

Now I am not trying to discount who these guys are as people, because I do not know them personally, but to me these Spanish teams should definitely be held accountable for these photos now, not just get slaps on the wrists or acceptance.

What's even crazier that this photo is still going to be used in an ad campaign in Spain, even after all this controversy. This pretty much means they will get off scot free.

To be in the Olympics is a privilege, and the Olympics themselves are in place to promote World Unity on a greater scale. Also, the Olympics is where you, families, friends, and entire countries come together to watch extraordinary athletes represent their country. It is definitely a shame that certain individuals of one Country do not see things in a similar light.