Olympic Committee Head Warns of Rising Antisemitism in Sports

Yael Arad, chairwoman of the Olympic Committee of Israel, stated at the 54th commemoration ceremony for the 11 Israeli athletes murdered at the 1972 Munich Olympics that antisemitism has infiltrated even the strongholds of sports. The ceremony, held annually in Tel Aviv, honored the victims of the Black September attack.

Arad highlighted the enduring memory of the victims and the resilience of their families, noting that several widows have recently celebrated their 80th birthdays. She emphasized the need for continued excellence and joint effort as Israeli sports prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, acknowledging the impact of ongoing security challenges on athletes and sports associations.

"Antisemitism is present everywhere in the world and has penetrated the strongholds of Olympic, Paralympic, and general competitive sports," Arad declared. She stressed the importance of Israel's presence in all forums and competitions, positioning Israeli athletes as national consensus figures and exceptional ambassadors of the Israeli spirit and world Jewry.

Minister of Culture and Sport Miki Zohar echoed these sentiments, vowing that Israel would not allow attempts to isolate it from the global sports arena through boycotts, threats, hatred, and antisemitism. He pledged that Israel would stand by its athletes, fight for them in every institution and federation, and continue to compete and proudly raise the Israeli flag worldwide.

The ceremony was attended by Israeli sports officials, including Olympic Committee CEO Adi Bichman, and representatives from Germany, including the Deputy Ambassador to Israel, Helena Marx. The event also included the laying of wreaths by Olympians and representatives of the victims' families, underscoring the deep connection between the past tragedy and the present challenges faced by Israeli sports.