Egyptian Olympian sent home from Rio after refusing to shake Israeli competitor's hand
Egyptian judoka Islam El Shehaby has reportedly been sent home from the Rio Olympics as punishment for refusing to shake his Israeli opponent's hand after a match last week, the AP reports.
On August 12, Israeli judoka Or Sasson defeated El Shehaby in a men's 100-kilogram match. It is customary for the the judokas to bow toward one another following the conclusion of a match, but El Shehaby instead lingered on the mat and refused to get up.
When El Shehaby finally did get up, Sasson tried three times to bow to him. El Shehaby refused to reciprocate on each occasion. Then, Sasson approached El Shehaby and extended his hand, to which El Shehaby backed away.
The crowd looking on booed.
El Shehaby's gesture was reportedly politically motivated:
Israeli publication The Algemeiner wrote:
"El Shehaby, who is known for his extreme anti-Israel views, told Egyptian media outlets that he would make his decision closer to the fight. 'The situation is very sensitive,' he said. 'And I don't want to discuss it.'"
Sasson went on to win bronze in the men's 100-kilogram judo class.