'Israeli' Olympic cyclist says British team dropped her over passport

• Olympic cyclist Rotem Gafinovitz says British team HESS Cycling canceled her contract because of her 'Israeli' passport, despite having another year remaining on her agreement.
• The 34-year-old says she has been unable to find another team and needs €200,000 to continue competing and pursue qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
• Gafinovitz also described security restrictions during the 2024 Paris Olympics, saying she was unable to train freely outside the Olympic Village.

'Israeli' Olympic road cyclist Rotem Gafinovitz has accused British cycling team HESS Cycling of terminating her contract because of her 'Israeli' nationality, leaving her without a professional team or the financial support needed to continue her career.

In an interview with Ynetnews published November 5, the 34-year-old cyclist said she had another year remaining on her contract when her agent informed her, ahead of the World Championships, that the team wanted to terminate their agreement.

Gafinovitz said she initially struggled to understand the decision. However, after pressing her agent for an explanation, he acknowledged that it was related to her 'Israeli' passport.

"He immediately told me they wanted to cancel my contract. I didn't understand why and tried to find out. At first, he was afraid to tell me the truth because he himself is completely pro-'Israel'. After I pressed him, he admitted it was related to my 'Israeli' passport," she told Ynetnews.

She said she immediately decided against continuing with the team, adding that the experience had closed professional opportunities for her.

Gafinovitz said the decision had a significant impact on her professional career. She missed the World Championships that took place that week and has been unable to secure a contract with another team since.

She added that other riders on the team were disappointed by the decision but had little influence over it because they were employees themselves.

The cyclist, who represented 'Israel' in the 2024 Paris Olympics, said she still hopes to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Games but faces major financial obstacles.

She estimates that she needs at least €200,000 to cover the costs of competing internationally and preparing for another Olympic qualification campaign.

"If the financial support doesn't come, I'll let it go. It's very hard for me to say that out loud," she said, acknowledging that retirement is becoming a possibility.

Gafinovitz finished 77th in the women's road race at the Paris Olympics. She said she does not want to return to another Games simply to participate, but hopes to compete for a stronger result.

She was also recently crowned a masters world champion.

During the interview, Gafinovitz also discussed the security arrangements surrounding her participation in the Paris Olympics.

She said she faced restrictions on moving outside the Olympic Village and was accompanied by security personnel, including during outdoor cycling training.

According to her account, she was not allowed to ride outside the Olympic Village wearing an 'Israeli' flag, unlike athletes from other countries who could train in their national uniforms.

She also described the challenges of preparing for the Games with limited institutional support, saying she completed approximately 85% of her Olympic preparation independently.

She traveled to a high-altitude training camp without her coach or a physiotherapist, rented a car and handled her own travel arrangements and race registrations.

Gafinovitz also recalled competing in October 2023, shortly after the October 7 attacks, while she was in Spain.

She said she remained in constant contact with her family and initially wanted to return home. After consulting with businessman Sylvan Adams, she decided to compete in a race in memory of those killed.

She said she wore an 'Israeli' racing uniform featuring a large Star of David and cried during the race, which she finished in 19th place.

Despite considering retirement, Gafinovitz said she has not abandoned her ambitions in sports. She has taken coaching courses, studied at the Open University and begun working on a project involving Paralympic sports.

She is also participating for a second consecutive year in the Wheels of Love charity cycling event, which raises funds for ALYN Hospital, a children's rehabilitation center.

HESS Cycling has not publicly responded to the allegations in the Ynetnews interview. The account of the contract cancellation remains Gafinovitz's version of the events.