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Egyptian Judoka Refuses To Shake Israeli Opponent's Hand, Then Gets Sent Home

By his own team.
Geopolitics trumps sportsmanship in one judo match.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Geopolitics trumps sportsmanship in one judo match.

Egyptian Judoka Islam El Shehaby has been sent home from the Olympics by his own team after he refused to shake his Israeli opponent's hand on Friday.

After Isreali fighter Or Sasson defeated El Shehaby in the over 100kg judo match, he extended his hand to shake El Shehaby's but the Egyptian backed away, shaking his head instead.

It is a judo customary to either shake hands with your opponent or bow before and after the match.

When El Shehaby backed away, the referee called him back to bow. He nodded briefly and walked off to a booing crowd.

While the International Olympic Committee labelled the incident "unfortunate" and "unacceptable", action was taken his own team and the Egyptian Olympic committee sent the El Shehaby home.

"The Egyptian Olympic Committee has strongly condemned the actions of Mr Islam El Shehaby and has sent him home," an International Olympic Committee spokesman told reporters in Rio.

"The Disciplinary Commission (DC) considered that his behaviour at the end of the competition was contrary to the rules of fair play and against the spirit of friendship embodied in the Olympic Values.

"The DC issued a 'severe reprimand for inappropriate behaviour' to the athlete."

El Shehaby was reportedly being pressured by fans on social media to not show up to compete against his Israeli opponent as it would shame Islam.

This isn't an isolated incident in Rio, with Lebanon's chef de mission barring Israeli athletes from catching the same bus as Lebanese athletes to the opening ceremony last week. The Israelis were forced to take a different bus.

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