The IOC announced today that an Egyptian judo athlete has been sent home after refusing to shake hands with his Israeli counterpart who beat him in a match on Friday.
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When Sasson extended his hand, Shehaby backed away, shaking his head.
As he attempted to leave, el-Shehaby was ordered back into the center of the Judo mat by the referee and eventually gave a slight bow to Sasson.
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”. With about a minute and a half left in the bout, Sasson earned an automatic victory with two throws of El Shehaby.
The International Judo Federation told Reuters on August 13 that judokas are not obligated to shake hands, only to bow, but it would look into whether any action should be taken.
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.
Mather helpfully goes on to cite examples, all of which tellingly point to one directional hostility: Arab and Muslim athletes snubbing Israeli competitors. “But for personal reasons, you can’t ask me to shake the hand of anyone from this country, especially in front of the whole world”, he said. The next year, Darwish again declined to shake hands with Zeevi after beating the Israeli in their quarterfinal match at a tournament in Dusseldorf.
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Egyptians clearly were divided before the match over whether El Shehaby should compete or withdraw, and there was a mixed reaction on social media afterward.
