Israeli Olympic Team Heads to Paris with 'National Mission' Spirit

Amid escalating threats and an expected hostile welcome, most of Israel’s Olympic delegation departed Monday afternoon for Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games' opening ceremony on Friday.

“We feel like emissaries of the State of Israel — our athletes, every one of them are here to achieve their dreams, but there is another layer, of a national mission,” Yael Arad, president of the Olympic Committee of Israel, stated during a press conference at Ben Gurion Airport.

Arad highlighted the dual objective of the delegation: aiming for medals and representing Israel's resilience since October 7. “Our first victory is that we’re here, that we didn’t give up,” she remarked. “What is leading us is the flag of Israel.”

Wearing a dog tag necklace of a hostage, Arad, Israel’s first Olympic medalist in judo, stressed that while the athletes will comply with Olympic rules against political statements, they carry a deeper, personal message. “In our internal, secret drawer, every one of us is taking all the strength of the Israeli people,” she said, referring to the enduring impact of recent conflicts.

The delegation’s departure is accompanied by heightened security due to ongoing tensions and threats against Israel’s participation. The security budget for the Paris Games has been doubled compared to Tokyo, and French authorities have assured 24-hour protection for Israeli athletes, supplemented by Shin Bet agents.

Beyond security concerns, Israeli athletes anticipate potential protests and hostile receptions, with incidents already reported. Far-left French lawmaker Thomas Portes recently declared that “Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Olympic Games,” drawing condemnation from French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, who affirmed, “The Israeli delegation is welcome in France.”

The Israeli delegation also received a heartfelt send-off from Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of hostage Romi Gonen, who inspired the athletes with her words of resilience and hope. “You are an inspiration to all of us,” she told them, urging them to remember the hostages and fallen soldiers and to hold their heads high.

The delegation includes 88 athletes competing in 15 sports, with hopes of bringing home four or five medals. Not all members departed on Monday; the soccer team, sailing delegation, and several individual athletes, including gymnast Artem Dolgopyat and archers Roy Dror and Mikaella Moshe, left earlier.

Oren Smadga, head coach of the men’s judo team and a bronze medalist at the 1992 Olympics, will also join the team despite the recent loss of his son in Gaza. Smadga emphasized his commitment to his mission, stating, “Amid all the difficulty and the pain I know that I must carry out my mission and my commitment in front of the world, in particular at this time.”

The opening ceremony along the River Seine on Friday evening will see Israel led by flag-bearers Andi Murez and Peter Paltchick, both immigrants who have previously competed for Israel in the Olympics.

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