Egyptian judoka who wouldn’t shake Israeli’s hand reprimanded, sent home
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Egypt’s Islam El Shehaby reacted Aug. 12 after losing to Israel’s Or Sasson in the men’s over 100-kg judo competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
RIO DE JANEIRO » An Egyptian athlete who refused to shake his Israeli opponent’s hand after their judo bout has been reprimanded and sent home from the Rio Olympics, officials said today.
The International Olympic Committee said Islam El Shehaby received a “severe reprimand” for his behavior following his first-round heavyweight bout loss to Or Sasson on Friday.
When Sasson extended his hand, El Shehaby backed away and shook his head, injecting Middle Eastern politics into the Rio Olympics. The referee called the 34-year-old El Shehaby back to the mat and obliged to him to bow; he gave a quick nod and was loudly booed as he exited.
Judo opponents typically bow or shake hands at the beginning and end of a match as a sign of respect.
El Shehaby, an ultraconservative Salafi Muslim, had come under pressure from Islamist-leaning and nationalist voices in Egypt before the Rio Games to withdraw, but competed anyway.
The IOC, which set up a disciplinary commission to investigate the incident, said the Egyptian’s conduct “was contrary to the rules of fair play and against the spirit of friendship embodied in the Olympic values.”
The Egyptian Olympic Committee also “strongly condemned” El Shehaby’s actions “and has sent him home,” the IOC said.
The IOC also asked the Egyptian committee to make sure that all its athletes “receive proper education on the Olympic values before coming to the Olympic Games.”
Immediately after the bout, the Egyptian Olympic committee had called it a “personal action” by El Shehaby, adding that he had been “alerted before the match to abide by all the rules and to have sporting spirt during his match with the Israeli player.”
Sasson, who lost in the semifinals but later won a bronze medal, had said he was not surprised by El Shehaby’s actions because his coaches had warned him he might be refused a handshake. “This was his decision,” he said.
Similar incidents have happened before at judo competitions between Israelis and Arabs.
Egypt was the first country in the Arab world to sign a peace treaty and normalize relations with Israel after decades of war.
24 responses to “Egyptian judoka who wouldn’t shake Israeli’s hand reprimanded, sent home”
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Good for him. Sore loser. Poor sportsmanship doesn’t belong at the Olympics. Should ban him from ALL International competition. Learn the hard way.
Politics. NOT sportsmanship.
We need that type of immigrants, Europe is smart enough to allow them in. Without them there is not enough conflict and bloodshed.
Wrong again. Europe is having second thoughts about all those illegal immigrants. Many countries are already thinking about sending them back home. Tired of the crime, other issues they bring.
The fact so many of them are disrespecting their host countries shows they are unworthy. Pack em up and send them back home.
No time for losers.
The whole spirit of the Olympics is to bring the entire world together to compete as one in one place, so if these athletes can’t comply with the sportsmanship rules, then they shouldn’t have come there in the first place.
In 1972 I think it was, a group of African-American Olympic competitors made the black power salute when being honored for their wins. It was a political statement. I am not sure what the Egyptian was saying by refusing to shake the hand of the Israeli but if it was a political statement in protest against Israeli aggression against Palestinians, it is understandable. Many Jews themselves question the hideous apartheid policies of the right-wing Israeli government.
This is exactly what should have happened to him. Reprimand, kicked out, pau.
Think he should not have competed but should have stayed on the team. There would be a discussion he could learn from. A little like the Chelsea Kent thing.
You never get it. Man knew the standards when he went to the game. Willfully decided he would not comply, against his country’s Olympic committee’s guidance, made a very bad decision to be a rookie athlete.
Wrong on this. Wrong on rail. Do you see the pattern?
Seems fair
Bar the sore loser from future competitions. No class.
i agree
In his Muslim Arab country he is a celebrated hero. We need more of them here.
There will always be that 1% of very weak of mind people, legend in their own minds, they are the chosen ones. Really?
Sad to say this rookie athlete who knew the Olympic standards, just could not make the grade. Even the Egyptian Olympic committee slapped this loser down.
Fact is religion is a crutch for very weak minded people. The biggest BS story in the world. Watch and learn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r-e2NDSTuE
And the bigot lost his match too.
I agree with the reprimand, but wonder why the american female soccer goal keeper that called the other team “cowards” never got the same.
Maybe because she shook hands with the Swedes after the match.
Participants should practice the spirit of the Olympics in WORDS and deeds.
BAN THE SUCKER FROM ANY TYPE OF FUTURE AMATEUR COMPETITION …..
religion of peace indeed
Those that practice the art of judo respect the traditions of the culture of martial arts. It is important those traditions be adhered to. Failing to show good sportsmanship in judo is unthinkable. Win or lose one must remain pure to the art form. Acknowledging you opponents victory is how a match is concluded. That is the way of the judoka. The fighting spirit or heart is as important as the victory.
How about the people who didn’t join hands in Hands Across America? Did they get kicked out?
take your meds
More than a sore loser? Radicalized zealot! Earmarks of someone who has to be watched!