view from central park: tehilla r. goldberg

Egyptian judoka: More than meets eye

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I inherited my love of the movie “Chariots of Fire” from my father. I can watch it a million times (for the running beach scene with that gorgeous stacatto music alone). But the theme, the passion of one player to run and win no matter what, versus the other runner, committed to protecting his observance of his sabbath no matter what, is what, time and again, ultimately draws me in.

“Chariots” was probably the first Olympics I ever really watched.

Now these past few weeks, beyond the actual Olympics, it seems that we have witnessed a meta-Olympics of sorts. In other words, what Olympic anti-Israel move will play out this time?

Some might cynically comment that the Olympics have come a long way — after all, at least they aren’t murdering the Israeli team (I actually heard someone say this). But come on, why is mistreating Israeli athletes and Israeli teams at the Olympics, and with utter insouciance to boot, acceptable?

After a week of wincing examples, along came the judo fighter and ultimate Olympic medal winner, Ori Sasson (who made us all so proud!), and his Egyptian opponent, Islam El Shehaby. After Sasson was almost instantaneously victorious, he put out a hand for a handshake to his opponent. As we know, to the boos of the crowd, El Shehaby refused the outstretched hand. At least he was made to return and bow to Sasson, apparently a ritual sign of judo that is inviolable.

Set aside the symbolism of the outstretched hand that is refused — a symbol of Israel’s outstretched hand in peace, so many times refused.

Forget about the double standard: If the tables were turned and an Israeli athlete behaved this way (which, despite the hate thrown their way they heroically and graciously have not) it would be front page news across the globe.

Then there is the fact of how sad and yet representative this interaction is. The bad behavior of an athlete from a country that Israel has actually signed a peace treaty with (in 1979) is a display of the best of what Israel can currently expect from a neighboring country. Talk about a reality check. So what are we supposed to expect from the others?

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