Shehaby, 32, had been reportedly pressured by fans in social media not to show up for his scheduled fight with his Israeli opponent because it would shame Islam, but he decided not to withdraw from the match. After Or Sasson of Israel defeated Islam El Shehaby of Egypt, Sasson offered his hand, as is customary in judo. After El Shehaby’s snub, the referee called him back to the mat to force him to bow.
Advertisement
However, the International Judo Federation said in a statement to the Associated Press that shaking hands is not mandatory, adding that El Shehaby had bowed instead.
“This is already a big improvement that Arabic countries accept to [fight] Israel”, said a spokesman.
“Nevertheless, after the Games the situation will be studied and analysed to see if further action must be taken”, Messner told Reuters.
Egypt’s Olympic Committee distanced itself from what El Shehaby did, saying he was “alerted before the match to abide by all the rules and to have sporting spirt during his match with the Israeli player”.
In the interview, El Shehaby claimed that he doesn’t mix politics and sports and for that reason, he chose to compete in the fight and not forfeit as many Egyptians had requested from him.
On Monday, Israeli judoka Sagi Muki lost to Georgia’s Lasha Shavdatuashvili in the bronze medal match, thus failing to win the first Israeli medal considered to be within reach at the Rio Olympics.
He was also urged to pull out by TV host Mataz Matar.
Ori Sasson’s journey to his bronze medal in Rio began with his fight against Egyptian judoka Islam El Shehaby.
The countries maintain secretive ties but public relations are widely condemned in Egypt if officials are seen to be hobnobbing with Israeli officials. “To his credit, Sasson just moved on”.
El Shehaby refused to comment.
Advertisement
These Olympians who have been chosen to represent their countries are faced with the hard decision to either remain neutral and risk appearing traitorous to their fans at home, or take the route that El Shehaby has and risk their reputation for seeming unsportsmanlike.
