Oof.

No one involved in the advert appears to have considered it inappropriate nor contemplated the manner in which it could be interpreted in China and elsewhere. No offence was intended by the advert, but whether the Chinese see it that way is a different matter and it is likely to provoke more criticism at a delicate time for Spanish sport. The failure to recognise the potential consequences is striking in the light of the problems Spain has had with issues of race and the Spanish Olympic committee's continued desire to host the Games in Madrid in 2016 or 2020.

ahaha... ohh man.

Its amazing how everyone involved in that project could be so completely inept.

They should be kicked out of the games of fined or something, don't they cane people for less over there?  The US cycling team gets beat up for wearing masks and this is the first I heard of this and this seems way worse. 

Horrible - Not cool! 

Juice for VP in 08

Could be worse dude... they coulda rocked those big plastic buckteeth, with rice hats.

(Im just bein an idot now)

Now the Kings have the right idea...

http://ballsiest.com/sportsblog/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/kings2.jpg 

How stupid are people? Cripes.

In a statement, Spain's Pau Gasol -- who's also a Laker in the NBA -- said, "It was something like supposed to be funny or something but never offensive in any way. I'm sorry if anybody took it the wrong way and thought it was offensive."

But wait -- it gets better. Another Spanish player, Jose Calderon -- who also plays for the Raptors -- wrote on his blog, "We felt it was something appropriate, and that it would be interpreted as an affectionate gesture." He added, "Without a doubt, some ... press didn't see it that way." DUUUUHHHHH!!?!?!!?

 http://www.tmz.com/2008/08/13/me-spanish-me-play-joke/

I now know that jose calderon's 3 pt gesture is not in fact a celebration of his 3ptr's but a throw up to the superiority of round eyed people... bastard!

I think my favorite part of this all is the ESPN article which quotes a spokesman for Li Ning sportswear (who supplies Spanish pro teams with uni's) as saying that the gesture was cute and respectful. He was particularly amused that they all sat around the dragon.

Also, some of Calderon's best friends in Toronto are Chinese.

It may not be the worst offense off all time, but it's still racist and it's coming from Spain, who are some of Europe's chief offenders when it comes to shit like this. That said, I'd never want to overlook the classy statements made by fine publications such as AsianWeek, or some of the advertising gems originating from that region.

I was jokin about Calderon though... I love that player.