Israel can take pride in an impressive sporting achievement, and the local Olympic Committee will have good reason to request greater budgets and facilities. Dolgopyat will certainly enjoy some benefits, and may even be allowed to marry in Israel.
Israel’s blind defenders will say that Arabs don’t meet the criteria for joining the delegation. Indeed, no one is asking for the inclusion of Arabs just because they are Arabs. On the contrary, we first want them to be excellent athletes. But for someone to reach the level required to compete in the Olympics, they must overcome many challenges.
In many countries around the world it is the members of disadvantaged groups, the descendants of immigrants or minorities, who excel at sports. They often see sport as a way of overcoming racism and discrimination and of breaking social and economic barriers. The Arabs in Israel are not migrants, but their loyalty and citizenship are often viewed with suspicion. This is why an Arab athlete can sometimes excel on a soccer team, but the Olympics, the Mount Olympus of sports, is closed to them.
- Israel’s success at the Olympics reflects a battle for the country’s identity
- He won Olympic gold for Israel, but the state still wouldn’t give him equal rights
- Israeli rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram snags gold at Tokyo 2020
Some people would say that if an Arab can be the anchor of a coalition or the head of a hospital, he can also run or swim under an Israeli flag. One can only wish for a public discourse that dealt with such a question. But this is only a theoretical issue; in practice, there is no Arab in the Olympic delegation.
