The International Olympic Committee has warned athletes who discriminate against each other against the backdrop of the war in Gaza will face sanction at the Paris Games.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
"The IOC is committed to the concept of individual responsibility and athletes cannot be held responsible for the actions of their governments," an IOC spokesperson told dpa.
"If discriminatory behaviour by an athlete or an official occurs, the IOC works with the National Olympic Committee and the International Federation concerned to ensure that swift action is taken, as during the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020."
Then, Algerian judo player Fethi Nourine and his coach were banned for 10 years by the sport's governing body after he withdrew following the draw at the Tokyo Games in order to avoid a possible second-round meeting with Tohar Butbu of Israel.
There have been similar incidents at past Olympics and other sports events.
The war in Gaza has raised fear among experts there could be more such cases between athletes from Israel and the Arab world next year in Paris.
Palestinian wrestler Rabbia Khalil, who trains in Germany and wants to be in Paris, readily admits he would not compete against athletes from Israel, "not for religious reasons because he is a Jew but because there has always been war between both peoples.
"I expect more Arab or pro-Palestine athletes to boycott competitions if they have to compete against athletes from Israel. Athletes will be more and more ready to accept the consequences," he added.
But the IOC spokesperson warned: "If divisive political forces were to succeed in their efforts to decide which athletes can compete in which competition, then sports competitions would end up involving only athletes from like-minded political blocs."
Australian Associated Press
