search
Revital Yakin Krakovsky

How the Paris Olympics are breaking records in hate

Police clear the streets outside the stadium ahead of the men's group D match between Israel and Mali at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/ Rebecca Blackwell)
Police clear the streets outside the stadium ahead of the men's group D match between Israel and Mali at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/ Rebecca Blackwell)

With the world’s eyes on the Paris Olympics, a grand celebration of human athletic prowess and international unity, a disheartening paradox emerges. The Games, designed to showcase the pinnacle of human achievement and foster global camaraderie, are now overshadowed by an alarming rise in hostility, particularly targeting Israeli athletes.

This unacceptable situation comes, regrettably, in the wake of the 2023 October 7 Hamas assault on southern Israel and Israel’s subsequent retaliatory war against Hamas. The horrific attack, marked by mass murder, hostage-taking, rape and other heinous acts, was a deliberate attempt to inflict maximum terror and suffering on innocent civilians. The global repercussions have been profound, igniting a sharp rise in antisemitism, with Jewish communities worldwide facing unprecedented hostility and attacks, creating new records in Jew hatred.

The Olympic Games, traditionally a platform for celebrating athletic excellence and fostering international unity, are now marred by the rising tide of hate and division. Protests against Israeli participation in the Paris Olympics have erupted globally, fueled by insidious political agendas and calls for boycotts. Athletes from other nations are being pressured to withdraw from events if Israelis are involved. This disturbing trend is transforming what should be a venue for peaceful competition into a battleground of ideological disputes.

To understand the gravity of the current situation, we must look back at the tragic events of the 1972 Munich Olympics. On September 5, 1972, the Olympic spirit was violently shattered when a Palestinian terrorist group known as Black September took eleven Israeli athletes hostage. The group, which had been linked to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), stormed the Israeli team’s quarters, capturing the athletes eventually murdering all eleven. The massacre left a lasting scar on the Olympic movement and stands as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by athletes when politics and extremism enter the field of sport.

Today, the legacy of Munich hangs heavy over the Paris Olympics. Amid threats, the French government has promised 24-hour protection for Israeli athletes, a necessary measure that underscores a troubling shift from the Olympic ideal. The Olympic Village, once a symbol of international friendship and camaraderie, is now a heavily guarded fortress.

Just like this year’s Eurovision song contest, where the Israeli delegation was the most threatened and heavily guarded, and, as revealed recently by Israel’s Eurovision representative Eden Golan, who said she could only leave the hotel in disguise, the Israeli delegation in Paris faces the same situation. Instead of focusing solely on sports, the Israeli athletes are overshadowed by the threat of antisemitism. Over the weekend, an Iranian influence campaign threatened the lives of Israeli athletes, sending them messages of condolence for their own deaths on their mobile phones.

Social media has further amplified the situation, with Israeli athletes facing Iranian influence campaigns and relentless online abuse. Hate speech, conspiracy theories, and threats proliferate on digital platforms, subjecting athletes and their families to a torrent of venomous commentary. The promise of the Olympics as a unifying force is shattered by this pervasive online hostility.

The Paris Olympics are intended to break records in athletic achievement and celebrate the best of humanity. Yet, at the moment, we face the potential for breaking records in inhumanity. The stark contrast between the Olympic ideals of unity, peace, and sportsmanship and the current environment of heightened security and hostility is a painful reminder of how far we have strayed from the spirit of the Games.

As the world watches the Paris Olympics, let us honor the memory of those lost in Munich and stand resolutely against hate. Let us support all athletes, regardless of nationality or religion, and strive to reclaim the true Olympic spirit. By doing so, we can ensure that the Paris Games remain a symbol of hope, demonstrating not only the resilience and courage of its participants but also the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

About the Author
Revital Yakin Krakovsky is Deputy CEO of the International March of the Living, senior advisor to the Combat Antisemitism Movement, and a former senior department head in the Ministry of Strategic Affairs.
Related Topics
Related Posts