Palestinian Athletes Prepare for Paris 2024 Olympics Amid Conflict

Palestinian Athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics

In a poignant reflection of the ongoing conflict, the Palestinian Olympic team will stand out at the Paris 2024 Olympics as the only squad, apart from the Refugee Team, with a majority of its athletes living outside their homeland. Out of the eight athletes representing Palestine, six were either born abroad or currently reside in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Germany, Chile, and the United States.

The devastating impact of the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel has made training in Palestine nearly impossible. According to the technical director of the Palestine Olympic Committee, more than 38,000 lives have been lost due to the conflict, including around 300 athletes, referees, coaches, and other sports personnel. Only two members of the Palestinian Olympic squad remain in Palestine: runner Mohammed Dwedar from Jericho and featherweight boxer Wasim Abu Sal from Ramallah.

Hamas-Israel War’s Impact on Palestinian Sports

Wasim Abu Sal has made history as the first athlete ever to represent Palestine in the Olympics. At just 20 years old, he has already secured two international medals, yet his journey has been fraught with challenges. He trained in Palestine during the war and is set to return home amidst the ongoing conflict. “For me, it has always been very difficult because in Palestine there are not many other athletes to train or interact with, but I never gave up,” he shared.

Reflecting on his experiences, Abu Sal recounted, “Before the war, I competed in the Asian Championships. It was wonderful to connect with other athletes from the diaspora, from Gaza, and from the West Bank. They became like brothers to me. Tragically, some of them lost their lives in the war. One young boxer even lost an eye during the occupation, taking away his dreams.”

Among the notable Palestinian athletes who tragically lost their lives in the war was long-distance runner Majed Abu Maraheel. He made history as the first Palestinian to compete in the Olympics at Atlanta ’96. Sadly, he died earlier this year due to kidney failure, unable to receive necessary medical treatment in Gaza or be evacuated to Egypt, as reported by Palestinian officials.

Competing with Purpose

The Palestinian delegation at the Olympics will feature eight athletes competing in various sports, including boxing, judo, swimming, shooting, track and field, and taekwondo. Notably, only one athlete, taekwondo competitor Omar Ismail, qualified for the Paris Games on his own merit. The remaining seven athletes secured their spots through a wild-card system designed to support athletes from nations with less established sports programs, allowing them a chance to compete despite not meeting standard qualification criteria.

Omar Ismail, who was born in Dubai, is preparing to represent the Palestinian territories at the Paris Olympics, training in Sharjah. Despite qualifying through a wild card, Abu Sal remains focused on his competitive spirit. “I am the first Palestinian boxer at the Olympics. I have the wind at my back, and I am not just participating; I am a contender,” he asserted.

No Palestinian athlete has ever won an Olympic medal, but the spirit of competition remains strong.

Fighting for Identity and Recognition

Nader Jayousi, the Director of the Palestine Olympic Committee, emphasized that while winning medals is important, it is not the primary goal for the athletes heading to Paris. “We are here to showcase our Palestinian identity,” he said. “We are committed to fighting until the last second, just as we have as a nation for the past 80 years.” Jayousi noted the challenges faced by the team, stating, “We had very high hopes of qualifying athletes for Paris 2024, but many opportunities were lost due to the complete halt of all activities in the country.”

Yazan Al Bawwab, a 24-year-old swimmer born in Saudi Arabia and currently residing in Dubai, echoed the sentiment of using sports as a platform for Palestinian representation. “I don’t expect recognition for my performance in the pool; I view swimming as a tool for Palestine,” he explained. “Do you know how many approved swimming pools exist in Palestine? Zero.” He highlighted the fragile state of the Palestinian economy, stating, “We are not yet a sports country, as we grapple with basic needs like food and shelter while striving to survive.”

In light of the ongoing global conflicts, Pope Francis expressed hope on Sunday that the 2024 Olympic Games would serve as an opportunity for establishing a truce, advocating for peace worldwide.