The surge in incidents worldwide during the Gaza war has posed new security concerns for Israeli athletes gearing up for the Paris 2024 Olympics, according to Yael Arad, President of Israel’s Olympic Committee. The genocide in Gaza by Israeli forces has triggered demonstrations and a spike in acts across many countries.
Germany reported a 240% increase in incidents in the first week after the war began compared to the same period in 2022. Arad expressed that the recent wave of global acts has led to unprecedented security requirements for Israeli athletes, impacting their participation in competitions necessary for Olympic criteria.
Israel’s artistic swimming team recently announced its decision not to travel to competitions, including Olympic qualifiers in Qatar, due to safety concerns. Arad emphasized that the Israeli Olympic team members are not involved in military activities, and their focus is solely on training and representing Israel at the Olympics.
While Arad did not provide specific details on security measures, she highlighted the Israeli Olympic Committee’s dedication, in collaboration with stakeholders, to ensure the safety and security of their athletes.
In response to the security challenges, Paris Games organizers stated that security arrangements for the July 26 to Aug 11, 2024 event would be “unprecedented,” with a security budget of 320 million euros. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) affirmed its commitment to security, particularly around the athletes’ village and competition venues, with confidence in the ability of the Organizing Committee and French authorities to deliver safe and successful Games.
The history of attacks on the Israeli team during the 1972 Munich Olympics underscores the importance of security at Olympic events. The IOC spokesperson emphasized that security is a topic of great importance, and regular contact is maintained with Paris 2024 to ensure a safe and successful Olympic Games.
The ongoing genocide in Palestine by Israeli forces has also contributed to a rise in incidents in the U.S. and the UK, with advocacy groups reporting violent assaults and online harassment. London’s police recorded a 14-fold increase in incidents in the three weeks following Oct. 7, and France documented 1,159 acts in the month since Oct. 7, more than triple the number in 2022.
