Israel not 'out' of Olympics, is sending 85 athletes to Paris | Fact check
The claim: Israel ‘out’ of Paris Olympics
A June 17 Threads post (direct link, archive link) shares supposed news about the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
“Israel out of the Paris Olympic Games,” the post’s text states.
The post received more than 1,800 likes in nine days.
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Our rating: False
There is no credible evidence that Israel is “out” of the Games, either by withdrawal or by an International Olympic Committee ban. The country is sending one of its largest Olympic delegations to Paris, according to reports.
No evidence of Israel ban, withdrawal
Thousands have been killed during more than eight months of war between Israel and Hamas. The ongoing conflict has prompted protesters and the president of the Palestinian Olympic Committee to call on organizers to either limit Israel’s participation in the Games or ban the Israelis entirely.
But no such action has yet taken place. As of June 26 – a month before the opening ceremonies in Paris – there is no credible evidence that Israel has either pulled out of the 2024 Olympics or been banned from them.
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IOC President Thomas Bach said in March that there was no threat to Israel's status for the Games, the Associated Press reported. Any change would have generated significant attention from legitimate media outlets, but no such reports exist. There is no mention of a status change on either of the websites where announcements from Israel's Olympic committee are posted.
Two days after the claim was posted to Threads, The Jerusalem Post reported June 19 that Israel’s athletes will receive “unprecedented” security in Paris. That wouldn’t happen if Israel’s team was not participating.
Rather, Israel plans to send one of its largest delegations of athletes, with around 85 set to compete in the Games, The Times of Israel reported June 5. That includes the 20 swimmers – the most the country has ever sent in that sport – announced June 24 by the Israel Swimming Association. Its men’s soccer team remains scheduled to open July 24 against Mali in Group D play. And the Israel Olympic Committee has regularly posted to its Facebook page profiles of the athletes who will compete in Paris.
The Israel-Hamas war has spawned misinformation on social media. USA TODAY has debunked false claims that Israel announced a “complete withdrawal” from Gaza and that an image shows a tunnel connecting Rafah to Egypt.
USA TODAY reached out to the Threads user who shared the claim, the IOC and Israel's Olympic committee but did not immediately receive responses.
Lead Stories and FactCheck.org also debunked the claim.
Our fact-check sources:
International Olympic Committee, accessed June 26, Israel NOC News
Olympic Committee of Israel, accessed June 26, News
The Jerusalem Post, June 19, Israel’s Olympians to receive unprecedented security for upcoming Paris games
Associated Press, March 6, Israel’s Olympic status not in question says IOC president Bach amid frustration with Russia
The Times of Israel, June 5, On complex world stage in Paris, Israel’s Olympians hope to stay focused on sport
Israel Swimming Association, June 24, Greatest team ever: 20 swimmers will compete in Paris
USA TODAY, June 24, Men's soccer Olympics schedule: Paris Olympics group play, knockout stage matches
Israel Olympic Committee, accessed June 26, Facebook page
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel isn't 'out' of Paris Olympic Games | Fact check
