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Paris (from our correspondent) – Palestine has been acknowledged by the Worldwide Olympic Committee since 1995, and a 12 months later they despatched their very own little journey to the video games in Atlanta. In Paris, boxer Wasim Abusal took on the position of flag bearer, sporting a T-shirt with a collar depicting planes dropping bombs from the sky on youngsters enjoying sports activities.

The reference to the battle with Israel within the Gaza Strip is clear. “It exhibits the picture of Palestine proper now. Kids are dying beneath the rubble, with out meals or water,” he instructed AFP.

The Worldwide Olympic Committee normally condemns any speech associated to politics or the worldwide scenario. In accordance with the rule of fifty, no sort of demonstration, political or non secular propaganda is allowed within the Olympic arenas.

However this time he didn’t intervene. “It’s an try to draw consideration, a peaceable message in opposition to struggle. That is based on the Olympic constitution,” mentioned the twenty-year-old boxer, who fought his technique to Paris as a wild card. Abusal lives within the West Financial institution and couldn’t coaching along with his coach, who lives within the Gaza Strip.

Forward of the Olympics, Palestine threatened to boycott the video games if Israeli athletes took half, and on Friday criticized the IOC for double requirements after it banned Russia from beginning in Paris .

The Israeli delegation is beneath a strict safety test in Paris, for instance within the Olympic village their home is just not marked in any manner.