8 Palestinians Participate in Olympic Games 2024, marking a significant moment of resilience and determination for the Palestinian people. Despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza and numerous challenges, these athletes have secured their place at the prestigious international sporting event. 8 Palestinians Participate in Olympic Games 2024 not only as competitors but as symbols of hope and perseverance for their nation.
The Palestinian delegation’s journey to the Olympics has been fraught with challenges. The ongoing war in Gaza, triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, has had a severe impact on Palestinian sports infrastructure and athletes. Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Olympic Committee, reports that 400 athletes, volunteers, and sports workers have been injured or killed in Gaza since the conflict began. The destruction of sports facilities in Gaza and the obstacles to sporting activities in the occupied West Bank have made training and preparation extremely difficult for these athletes.
Despite these hardships, the Palestinian team has managed to secure their place at the Games. Only one athlete, taekwondo competitor Omar Ismail, qualified directly through official criteria. The other seven received special invitations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This achievement is seen as a victory in itself, with Varsen Aghabekian, the Palestinian Authority’s minister of state for foreign affairs, stating that “representing Palestine” at the Paris Games “is already a victory.”
The Palestinian delegation includes athletes from various disciplines:
- 1. Omar Ismail – Taekwondo (under-58kg category)
- Layla al-Masri – Athletics (800 meters)
- Mohammed Dwedar – Athletics (800 meters)
- Valerie Tarazi – Swimming (200-meter medley)
- Yazan al Bawwab – Swimming (100-meter backstroke)
- Waseem Abu Sal – Boxing (lightweight category)
- Fares Badawi – Judo (under-81kg weight class)
- Jorge Antonio Salhe – Skeet shooting
Each of these athletes carries not only their personal aspirations but also the hopes and dreams of their people. For many, participating in the Olympics is about more than just sports; it’s an opportunity to show the world the humanity and capabilities of Palestinians. Yazan al Bawwab, a swimmer, sees his participation as “a tool to prove to the world that we are human beings too.”
The athletes face unique challenges in their preparation. Waseem Abu Sal, the first Palestinian boxer to compete in the Olympics, trains remotely with his Cairo-based coach due to Israeli restrictions preventing the coach from entering the West Bank. Despite these obstacles, Abu Sal remains determined, stating, “It’s been my dream since I was 10. Every day, I woke up wondering how to get to the Olympics.”
While the athletes are focused on their sporting goals, they are also acutely aware of the situation in Gaza. Valerie Tarazi, a swimmer with American citizenship, expresses the weight of representing her people while being unable to directly help those in Gaza. “We’re not here to compete just for ourselves or to represent ourselves personally,” she says. “It’s about much more than that.”
The Palestinian Olympic Committee views the athletes’ participation as an opportunity to raise awareness about the conflict in Gaza. However, they must navigate this carefully, as the IOC’s rules of neutrality prohibit any kind of political demonstration or propaganda at Olympic venues. This puts the athletes in a delicate position, balancing their roles as sportspeople and as representatives of a nation in crisis.
The international community has shown support for Palestinian sports in the face of these challenges. The French consul general in Jerusalem, Nicolas Kassianides, announced that France is providing Palestinian sport with €1 million in support in 2024. This assistance is crucial given the destruction of sports infrastructure and the difficulties faced by athletes in training and competing.
As the Games approach, the Palestinian delegation carries the hopes of their nation. Nader Jayousi, technical director of the Palestinian Olympic Committee, emphasizes that their goal is not just participation but achievement. “We don’t need people to feel sorry for us,” he states. “Above all, we need people to recognise what we are capable of achieving as a nation.”
The presence of these eight athletes in Paris serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of the Palestinian people. Despite the ongoing conflict, destruction of infrastructure, and personal hardships, these individuals have persevered to reach the pinnacle of international sports competition. Their journey to the Olympics is a testament to the power of sport to transcend political boundaries and showcase human resilience.
As the world turns its attention to Paris for the Olympic Games, the Palestinian athletes will stand as ambassadors for their nation, carrying with them the stories of struggle and hope that define their people’s experience. Their participation is not just about winning medals but about asserting their identity on the global stage and inspiring future generations of Palestinians to pursue their dreams despite seemingly insurmountable odds.
The 2024 Paris Olympics will undoubtedly be a platform for these athletes to demonstrate their skills, but more importantly, it will be an opportunity for the world to witness the indomitable spirit of the Palestinian people. As they compete under their flag, these eight individuals will carry the aspirations of millions, embodying the Olympic ideals of peace, unity, and human achievement in the face of adversity.
