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≡ POLITICS IN SPORT ≡
So much for Swiss neutrality.
At the European Fencing U-23 Championships in Tallinn (EST), the Israeli men’s Epee team of Yehonathan Lambrey Messika, Fedor Khaperskiy, Alon Sarid and Itamar Tavor defeated Switzerland, 45-29 in the final to earn the gold medal.
At the victory ceremony, both teams and the third-placed Italian team received medals and the Italians and the Israelis turned to their left to face the flags of the medal-winning nations while the Israeli anthem was played.
The Swiss team – Jonathan Furhimann, Ian Hauri, Sven Vineis and Theo Brochard – did not turn and stood still, with their backs to the other two teams, in an obvious, silent snub toward Israel.
The gesture did not go unnoticed, was widely reported, and on Sunday, the Swiss Fencing Federation posted a statement in French and English:
“The Swiss Fencing Federation has been informed about the actions of our U23 men’s team in Tallinn, Estonia, during the night of Saturday to Sunday. Swiss Fencing has no understanding for the fact that the team misused the award ceremony of the European U23 Team Championships for political means. However, it should be noted that the Swiss athletes congratulated the Israeli winners after the final in a sporting manner.
“As a matter of principle, Swiss Fencing is of the opinion that sporting competitions are not suitable for the expression of political opinions, even if athletes are of course allowed to have their own personal viewpoint on current world affairs.
“Swiss Fencing will discuss this important matter with the U23 men’s team after the athletes return from Estonia and then decide on any actions to be taken.
“We deeply regret that this behavior hurt the feelings of the Israeli delegation and demeaned the sporting success of the Swiss team with three medals at this U23 European Championships. We congratulate the Israeli team on their gold medal in the team competition.”
On Monday, the Swiss federation posted a public letter of apology signed by the four fencers (computer translation from the original French):
“Dear fencing family,
“After winning the silver medal at the U23 European Championships in Tallinn, much has been written about us. But not because of our excellent performance. We are responsible for that: we now wish to clarify our approach and express our regrets.
“We played a final against the Israeli team without any tension – we shook their hands and congratulated them before and after the podium, with great respect for them and their performance. During the ceremony, we did not turn toward the flag during the national anthem. This had no political significance and did not reflect any rejection of Israel. It was a personal gesture, born of our discomfort and empathy with the current context of great human suffering affecting all parties in this conflict. At the time of the ceremony, we were swept away by our emotions and by the situation that is overwhelming us all.
“We acknowledge that our behavior caused confusion and that it was a mistake on our part. As mentioned, we did not intend to express a political opinion.
“We sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt, especially our opponents on the Israeli team and the Israeli Fencing Federation.
“We have learned from this situation and will act with greater clarity and discernment in the future.
“With all due respect.”
The Swiss ambassador to Israel, Simon Geissbuhler, also apologized, writing in a letter, “Personally, but also on behalf of Swiss Fencing, I deplore the behavior of our athletes,” and adding, “an award ceremony must under no circumstances be misused for political statements – despite every athlete’s right to have their own opinion on political conflicts and wars.
“This action was not discussed with anyone in advance. We will confront the athletes upon their return and then decide on the next steps.”
Israel Olympic Committee Chair and International Olympic Committee member Yael Arad was outraged and wrote on Facebook:
“The Swiss under-23 team chose to cope with the loss on the podium as the anthem was being played with provocative losing chutzpah that utterly contravenes not only Olympic values, but also the fact that Switzerland declared Hamas an illegal murderous terrorist organization after [its attack on Israel on] October 7 [2023].”
Israel has long been a target of political protests in sports for decades. It competed in its own geographic region – Asia – from 1954 to 1974 and participated in the Asian Games, but was voted out of the Olympic Council of Asia in 1981, later joining the European Olympic Committees in 1994.
Israel has been repeatedly boycotted in sports, especially by Iran and especially in judo and wrestling. In fencing, Iraq withdrew from the 2023 FIE World Championships after one of its fencers was drawn to compete against an Israeli opponent. Indonesia was scheduled to host the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games, but canceled the event with a month to go, blaming a hold-up in government funding, but actually because Israeli athletes were scheduled to participate.
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