International Olympic Committee defends 'Israel’s' participation

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has defended 'Israel’s' right to remain in international sporting competitions, even as pressure grows for its exclusion, Spanish news outlet Marca reported.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently joined calls demanding sanctions against 'Israel', citing its ongoing war in Gaza.

Responding to questions from Spain’s EFE news agency, the IOC said in a statement, “Both the National Olympic Committees of Israel and Palestine are recognized by the IOC and enjoy the same rights. Both comply with the Olympic Charter, and we continue to work with them to try to mitigate the impact of the current conflict on athletes.”

The committee pointed to the Paris 2024 Games as proof that coexistence is possible, noting, “Teams from both delegations participated, and their athletes lived together peacefully under the same roof in the Olympic Village.”

Campaigns for 'Israel’s' suspension draw comparisons with sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus after the invasion of Ukraine. In that case, Russian and Belarusian athletes faced restrictions and were only allowed to compete under neutral flags. Russia had already been barred from Tokyo 2020 due to state-sponsored doping.

The IOC, along with international sports federations, retains the authority to impose sanctions on 'Israel' in the future. For now, Spain says it will continue pressing for action.

José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, president of Spain’s High Council of Sports, reinforced the government’s stance, “Spain will lead and will raise in international forums, both in sports and within the European Union, the need to advance along the line outlined by the Spanish president of not being able to make normal competitions compatible with Israel while this genocide continues.”