The Palestinian delegation will have several athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The Olympic truce, a message that may be hard to get across for all the countries that find themselves at war. Despite the controversies and disputes, Palestine and Israel will be present for the 2024 Olympic Games. While the Israeli delegation will be protected 24/7, this will not be the case for the eight representatives for the Olympic Games. Their presence will serve as a “platform” to raise public awareness about the fighting, according to Palestinian officials.
“Representing Palestine” at the Paris Games “is already a victory,” summarized the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Authority, Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, during a press conference. Unfortunately, sports infrastructure has been largely destroyed in Gaza and the preparation of athletes has been difficult. Tragedies have occurred, two figures of the national volleyball team, Ibrahim Qusaya and Hassan Zuaiter, died in a bombing on the Jabalia camp in the Gaza Strip. On December 18, 2023, Bilal Abu Samaan, coach of the national athletics team, also died under the bombs.
Who are the athletes?
For the first time in the history of the Palestinian delegation, taekwondo athlete Omar Ismail managed to obtain his ticket directly to the Games during the Asian qualification tournament in Tai’an (China) without going through a “wild card”. Among the Palestinian athletes invited are two athletes specializing in the 800 meters, Layla al-Masri and Mohammed Dwedar. Two Palestinian swimmers will also be present: Valerie Tarazi, in the 200 meters medley, and Yazan al-Bawwab, in the 100 meters backstroke. Wassim Abou Sal in boxing, Fares Badawi will also be present in judo while Jorge Antonio Salhe, aged 49, has also been invited to compete under the Palestinian colors in shooting.