Egyptian judoka, Islam El Shehaby has been sent home from the Olympics after refusing to shake hands with his Israeli opponent, Or Sasson.
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Not much coverage was given to the judo sport in the Rio 2016 Games until the news of Egyptian Islam El Shehaby snubbing his Israeli opponent Or Sasson’s handshake became sensational headlines.
The Times of Israel reports: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Wednesday with Israel’s newly returned judo delegation to the Olympic Games in Rio, telling bronze medal winners Or Sasson and Yarden Gerbi that they are inspiration to the whole country.
“This is completely untrue”.
This is not the first time athletes from Arab nations or Iran have had difficulties with Israeli athletes in the Olympics or other global competitions. “Moreover, the committee has no right to do so”, Mubasher told CNN. He was reprimanded by an Olympic disciplinary commission.
“The DC issued a “severe reprimand for inappropriate behaviour” to the athlete”.
The Egyptian judoka raised a storm in Rio by refusing to shake hands with Sasson, and at first refusing to bow, after losing the match.
“My son watch out, don’t be fooled or fool yourself thinking you will play with the Israeli athlete to defeat him and make Egypt happy…”
El Shehaby, who is known for his critical views of Israeli, refused the first option following a first-round heavyweight bout loss to Or Sasson, even when the Israeli extended his hand further forward than normally necessary.
The crowd could be heard booing as El Shehaby backed away and shook his head, however the Egyptian stepped away and gave a quick nod as a sign of respect.
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After any game, it’s courtesy to shake hands with the opponent player. “People were sending me messages on social networks like ‘tear apart the Muslim.’ But I understood that I was coming to fight against a sportsman, and it didn’t matter to me that he was Egyptian”.
