I

srael has sent a team to the 
Olympics every year since 
1952, except for 1980 when 
the country joined a U.S. boy-
cott of the Russian Olympics. 
Despite being from a relatively 
small country with a popu-
lation of 9.6 million, Israeli 
athletes have won 13 Olympic 
medals. This year, 88 Israeli 
athletes will compete in 15 
individual sports at the Paris 
Olympics; Israelis will also par-
ticipate in the Paralympics. The 
2024 Olympics includes 10,500 
athletes representing 206 
National Olympic Committees.
The 2024 Olympics present 
multiple challenges for Israel 
— an effort by French pro-Pal-
estinian groups to ban Israel 
from the Olympics; increas-
ing antisemitic incidents in 
France, and the economic and 
psychological impact of the 
war against Hamas. However, 
the Israeli government views 
Israeli participation as a 
national morale booster and 
has increased the monetary 
awards for its athletes who win 
Olympic medals. 
The Campaign BDS France 
and the Association France 

Palestine Solidarité have led 
an effort to ban Israel from 
the Olympics. They cite Israeli 
“genocide” and “apartheid” 
against Palestinians in Gaza 
including the “assassination” 
of Palestinian athletic coach-
es and athletic trainers. The 
groups also claim that Israel 
has transformed Palestinian 
youth and sports centers into 
detention and torture sites and 
that 400,000 people across the 

world have signed a petition 
to ban Israel from interna-
tional athletic competitions. 
However, the International 
Olympic Committee rejected 
the movement to ban Israel, 
and its team will participate 
among 10,500 athletes from 
206 participating nations.
France has experienced a 
300% increase in antisemitic 
incidents since Israeli forc-
es entered Gaza in October 

Israeli Olympic flag bearers: Andrea Murez, swimming, and 
Peter Paltchik, judo.

OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF ISRAEL

ERETZ

42 | JULY 25 • 2024 
J
N

Despite special challenges, Israeli athletes look forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Despite special challenges, Israeli athletes look forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Paris, Here They Come

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Israeli 
Athletes Will 
Participate in 
These Olympic 
Sports:
• Archery 
• Artistic swimming
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Cycling
• Equestrian
• Fencing
• Football (soccer)
• Gymnastics
• Judo
• Sailing
• Shooting 
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Taekwondo
• Triathlon

Israeli Olympic logo