Well im spanish and im concerned about this situation, i understand why some of you are indignated. The picture was originally released with this words: "Pekin 2008, we are ready for the challenge"
Calling the team assholes of the olimpics is just too much. BTW, Pau Gasol apologized for the misunderstandings this picture caused:
Pau Gasol:
"It was something like supposed to be funny or something but never offensive in any way," said Spain center Pau Gasol, who also plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. "I'm sorry if anybody thought or took it the wrong way and thought that it was offensive."
Point guard Jose Manuel Calderon said the team was responding to a request from the photographer:
"We felt it was something appropriate, and that it would be interpreted as an affectionate gesture," Calderon, who plays for NBA's Toronto Raptors, wrote on his ElMundo.es blog. "Without a doubt, some ... press didn't see it that way."
It´s a shame that some people wants to create conflicts about this situation, well, the spanish team will be booed for sure in the next competitions. IMO it was a huge mistake to take this picture.
source:
http://cbs2.com/sports/spain.china.racist.2.794643.html