Connection and Conflict: Palestinian Athletes at the Olympic Games

A Moment of Connection at the Olympic Games

Taliyah Brooks approached the athlete with a mix of excitement and trepidation as he lay on the grass, stretching his muscles before the competition. With a voice barely above a whisper, she asked, “Do you have a pin?” Squeezing her shoulders in a nervous shrug, she accompanied her question with a tentative smile. There was no need for her anxiety.

The athlete, Mohammed Dwedar, representing the Palestinian team in track and field, sprang to his feet with a radiant grin. In the Olympic world, pins symbolize friendship and camaraderie, making this interaction a warm welcome for him. “I was almost hesitant to come over,” Brooks admitted, a Texan by origin. “I wasn’t sure how you all feel about the United States.”

Fortunately for Brooks, Dwedar’s enthusiasm was palpable, although he was running low on pins. The same could be said for many of his teammates. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has thrust the eight Palestinian athletes competing in Paris into the spotlight, offering them a platform that is both unique and challenging. This year’s Olympic Games are being experienced differently by these athletes and their Israeli counterparts.

While Israelis enjoyed a wave of international sympathy after the tragic events led by Hamas last October, they have since encountered growing hostility due to the Israeli military’s intense response in Gaza. The complex political landscape surrounding the Games has added layers of meaning to the athletes’ experiences, intertwining sportsmanship with a broader narrative of conflict and resilience.