The International swimming federation, FINA, has formally warned officials in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates for disrespecting Israeli swimmers at the 2014 World Cup events in Dubai and Doha.
FINA Executive Director Cornel Marculescu was quoted by The Associated Press as saying that the two organizing committees apologized for the “stupid” incidents in the past week.
Israel’s team protested when the country’s name and flag appeared to be censored in pre-race introductions and television broadcasts.
Israeli swimmer Amit Ivry won a medal at both meetings, though teammates noted that she seemed to be ignored by television cameras in some races. She won bronze in 100 meters breaststroke at Dubai, and took silver in 100 medley in Doha.
Qatari organizers and broadcasters used a graphic of a plain white rectangle instead of the Israeli flag during races. Some of the events involving Israelis weren’t aired.
The swimming governing body has rules prohibiting discrimination, including on grounds of religion or politics.
In a statement published on its website, the Lausanne-based FINA said:
1. Prior to the competitions, FINA took all the necessary steps, in co-operation with our member National Federations in UAE and Qatar, to ensure the delivery of visas and participation of the Israeli delegation in Dubai and Doha meets. Moreover, FINA also ensured that optimal conditions were provided in terms of hospitality, accommodation, meals, transportation and security. This has been highly appreciated by the Israeli national team;
2. Both in Dubai and Doha, FINA immediately reacted in accordance with its rules. In UAE, the incidents of the first day were not repeated in the following sessions, while in Doha FINA was only informed on these occurrences 15 minutes prior to the end of the second day finals’ session. Once more, FINA promptly reacted and the medal ceremony involving one athlete from Israel and the end of the session respected all the FINA rules;
3. Finally, FINA gave a warning to the Organisers of the two FINA Swimming World Cup meets and recalled them that the FINA rules must be equally applied by all FINA National Federations. Moreover, FINA guarantees that all steps will be taken in the future for such acts not to occur again, namely in the 2014 edition of the FINA Swimming World Cup in Dubai and Doha, and during the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), taking place in Doha from December 3-7, 2014.
“Next year we have the world championships and these things will not happen anymore,“ Marculescu said in a telephone interview. “Every year we have events there and we never had things like this.”
At previous meets held in the Middle East, Israeli swimmers and officials have had difficulties getting visas to enter host countries.
“This time there was no problem,” Marculescu said. “Only these stupid things.”
An Israeli delegate said he would file a protest with the International Olympic Committee and the International Swimming Federation, the Times also wrote.
World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said the removal of the Israeli flag ‘’violates the FINA Code of Ethics, which requires that its tournament shall have no discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, or political opinion.”
“Qatar must immediately restore the Israeli flag to its venue at this sporting event and stop pandering to the worst sort of Arab rejectionism,” Lauder stated.
“If Doha won’t guarantee the participation of athletes from all countries and respect the neutrality of international sportsmanship, it has forfeited its right to host the FIFA 2022 World Cup in soccer. That event should be moved from Qatar.”
Abraham Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said : “As more and more Arab countries host international sporting events in which Israeli athletes compete, this is an unacceptable gesture.”
He continued, “International sporting federations, who have guidelines mandating that all qualifying athletes be permitted to compete, must also now ensure that host countries guarantee that all participants and national teams – regardless of their nationalities – be treated equally, and that their national origin be fully recognized. Organizers of international sporting events cannot permit public opinion to politicize competitions, nor sully competitors.”
Israeli athletes have been barred from competitions in many Arab countries. In 2009, despite the guidelines of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), Israeli Tennis star Shahar Peer was denied a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates and compete in the Dubai Tennis Championship. The UAE was forced to pay a fine.