Many Muslim athletes behaved disgracefully at the 2016 Rio summer Olympics

The Israeli Olympians at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic games.

At least two shameful occurrences happened at the 2016 Rio summer Olympics involving Islamic athletes disrespecting Israelis.

First, all of the Lebanese athletes refused to allow the Israeli athletes to board a bus with them en route to the Olympic opening ceremonies:

The following information is summarized from this Jerusalem Post article

The Israeli sailing coach Udi Gal wrote a Facebook post telling of a ridiculous situation where the entire Lebanese delegation of athletes refused to let the Israelis travel with them to the opening ceremony.

As the Israelis were preparing to board a joint-bus, they were blocked entry by the Lebanese who refused to share the ride with them.

Gal wrote:

“The Lebanese, upon comprehending that they were to share a bus with the Israelis, addressed the driver in refusal and demanded that the door to the bus be shut.  Event organizers then attempted to scatter us on different buses – something that is unacceptable for security and representative reasons.”

“We insisted that we board the bus designated for us – and that the Lebanese should de-board if so they wish.  So the bus driver opened the door.  But this time, the head of the Lebanese delegation blocked the entrance to the bus with his own body.  Event organizers – attempting to prevent a diplomatic incident – then organized a separate ride for us.  But the diplomatic incident already occurred – shame!”

“How can it be that something like this occurs on the eve of the Olympic opening ceremony?   Does this not directly oppose what the Olympics represent and stand for… I cannot begin to express my feelings, I’m in shock from the incident.”

A source from the Lebanese Olympic committee later said the refusal to allow the Israelis to board the bus was a group decision of the Lebanese Olympic delegation.  Another source said the Lebanese athletes are “committed to the national position in refusing to be in the same place as the Israelis.”

 

… Then, an Egyptian judo competitor refused to shake hands with his Israeli opponent after being beaten by him in the first round, drawing boos from the crowd and resulting in him being sent home early:

The following information is summarized from a Daily Mail UK article

Islam El Shehaby, an Egyptian Judo competitor at the Rio Olympics refused to shake hands with his Israeli opponent Or Sasson after loosing to him, resulting in him being booed by the audience and being sent home from the Olympics early.

El Shehaby said, “I have no problem with Jewish people or any other religion or different beliefs.  But for personal reasons, you can’t ask me to shake the hand of anyone from this State, especially in front of the whole world.”

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, the then Iranian world champion Arash Mirasmaeili refused to fight the Israeli judoka Ehud Vaks, which brought him praise back home.