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Egyptian athlete refuses to shake Israeli opponent’s hand

Or Sasson, ranked fifth in the world, defeated El Shehaby in the first round with about a minute and half remaining in the bout.

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El Shehaby returned to the edge of the mat and made the slightest of head nods before again striding off to a chorus of boos from the crowd.

The referee called the Egyptian back to the mat and instructed him to bow.

But the International Judo Federation says it’s a sign of progress that the match even took place.

“Nevertheless, after the Games the situation will be studied and analysed to see if further action must be taken”, Messner told Reuters.

The New York Times reports that it is mandatory for players to bow both before and after a match.

At this point it’s customary for judo fighters to bow or shake hands with one another. She finished fourth Sunday in the 100-meter butterfly and pulled out before Friday’s 50-meter freestyle, her final event.

The Egyptian IOC had told El Shehaby to fight “with a sporting spirit” and ignore the media pressure.

Israeli bronze medalist Or Sasson celebrates on the podium of the men’s +100kg judo contest of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 12, 2016.

El Shehaby did not comment after their match. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry even watched the European soccer championships on TV with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit to Jerusalem in July.

There have been other incidents involving Muslim athletes refusing to compete against or be around Israeli athletes in Rio.

Israel is seen as an enemy nation in many Arab countries.

Asked whether the two athletes will shake hands, Hatab said, “the delegation doesn’t allow mixing politics with sports”.

It was the second medal for Israel at the Rio Games, following a bronze for Yarden Gerbi, 27, in the women’s 63-kg judo competition earlier this week.

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Islam el-Shehaby was competing against Israeli Or Sasson when he lost the match and rejected his advances for a handshake.

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