The Israeli delegation that marched in the glittering opening of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio Friday night consisted of 47 athletes ready to compete in 17 sports.
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Nacif Elias carries the flag of Lebanon during the opening ceremony for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. “The Israeli delegation was preparing to board a bus to the opening ceremony, which was to be shared with the Lebanese delegation”.
Udi Gal, a member of Israel’s Olympic sailing team, said on Facebook his compatriots “insisted on boarding the bus” adding that “if the Lebanese refused to stay with us, they were welcome to take another bus”.
Israel portrayed it as a hostile act, maintaining that organizers had told them to use the bus to reach the Maracana Stadium. “Once the members of the Lebanese delegation realized they were (sharing the bus) with the Israeli delegation, they asked the driver to close the door, with their delegation leader heading (the effort)”. “We wanted to stand up for ourselves but you can’t cause trouble”.
“In a video preceding the opening ceremony, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the games “celebrate the best of humanity” and appealed for an Olympic truce, calling on “all warring parties to lay down their weapons” during the two weeks of sporting achievement”.
Haj Nicola told the AP that it was “only a small problem”.
Lebanon and Israel are officially at war and have no diplomatic relations. The 2006 conflict killed about 1,200 Lebanese, including hundreds of civilians, and about 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.
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