2024 Olympic Games : The Middle East on the podium
As the philosopher Raphaël Enthoven stated in his Olympic greetings, sport is a reminder that the adversary is not the enemy, that it is permissible to challenge one another while respecting one another, and that intense confrontations can take place in a peaceful and civilized manner.
What lessons have been drawn from this 2024 edition for the Middle East ? Firstly, the dazzling performances of regional athletes : 12 medals for Iran, 7 for Israel, closely followed by Bahrain with 4 medals, then Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia. The women's delegations from North Africa and the Persian Gulf were also well represented. Between the euphoria and the twists and turns, progress and hope were on the agenda.
Olympic Highlights : From Algeria to Afghanistan, Women Athletes Pile Up Medals
Like legendary warriors enthroned on Mount Olympus, Eastern Artemis and Athena made their names resound in the stands of fiery stadiums. Whether in athletics, weightlifting, boxing or artistic gymnastics, they proved that the female body could adapt to any discipline. Demonstrating Herculean strength, Sara Ahmed took the silver medal in weightlifting. Mobilizing all her energy, the Egyptian champion lifted an impressive bar of 268 kilos, beating her previous record of 255 kilos, set at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Bahrain also performed well. With four medals, two of them in gold, the Gulf kingdom had its marathon runners triumph on the steeplechase track. Winfred Mutile Yavi, a 24-year-old Bahraini runner, won the sixth Olympic medal in Bahrain's history. Her unexpected sprint in the final seconds of the competition gave her the fourth-best performance in the history of the 3,000-meter steeplechase, with a time of eight minutes and fifty-two seconds. Her team-mate, Salwa Eid Naser, took silver in the 400-meter event. Overflowing with joy and ambition, the two champions were received with great pomp at the palace of King Hamad Ben Issa to present their medals. “This is a dream come true,” exclaimed Winfred Yavi. “This victory means a lot to me and to the country.”
Another participant who dazzled the audience was the iconic Kaylia Nemour, who, at just seventeen years of age, gave Algeria the gold medal in artistic gymnastics on the uneven bars. The Franco-Algerian gymnast, who had previously competed for France, this time paid tribute to her other country in masterly fashion. Executing her movements with power and assurance, she seemed in perfect harmony with the rhythm of her choreography. The emotional moment when, with tears in her eyes, she discovered her final ranking will remain etched in our memories. At her side, boxer Imane Khelif also brought home a gold medal for Algeria.
In addition to the achievements of the sportswomen mentioned above, the courage of behind-the-scenes heroines such as Nigara Shaheen must also be recognized. Unable to compete under the flag of her native country, this Afghan judoka didn't let the Taliban regime put an end to her dreams. With her indomitable hair and infectious smile, Nigara Shaheen is an influential figure. Her twelve thousand followers on Instagram regularly follow her inspiring posts. In an interview, she shared her Olympic experience: “My journey must give hope to all Afghan girls”.
This message echoes the hashtag #LetUsExist launched by Afghan taekwondist Marzieh Hamidi, as part of the fight against the gender apartheid that weighs on Kabul. “I invite you all to support Afghan women and help them fight the gender apartheid they endure,” wrote Hamidi on X. Let's hope that, somewhere in the country, these women's voices will be heard and relayed by next generation's sportswomen.
From Pain to Triumph : When Sports Become an Expression of Resilience
This spirit of hope is also spreading among the refugees attending the competition. Iranian taekwondo player Hadi Tiranvalipour describes himself and his Olympic family as “those who never give up”. This adage resonates even in the hearts of the Israeli delegation. The Hebrew state, still reeling from the painful month of October 2023, managed to overcome its grief and excelled in a wide range of disciplines: judo, artistic gymnastics, windsurfing...
The seven medals won at this year's event represent Israel's best-ever Olympic performance. Among the winners, the name of Tom Reuveny stands out. He took first place in the windsurfing rankings. Off Marseille, the sailor raised the blue and white colors of his country, recalling in some respects the perilous historical episode of the Exodus.
Back in 1947, this old Panamanian ship, which set sail from the port of Sète with almost five thousand Central European survivors on board, had struggled to make its way to the Holy Land to build a new life. This gold medal won at sea also symbolizes the resilience of a state still haunted by the memory of the eleven members of its delegation, kidnapped and then murdered by the terrorist group Black September during the Munich Olympic Games in 1972.
This year, the Israeli delegation wore a beaming smile throughout the competition, leaving overwhelmed by the achievements of its athletes and the warm atmosphere that enveloped this eagerly-awaited sporting event.
Ready, set, win. But the real victory that everyone is striving for is not made of lead or steel. It embodies the fulfillment of a “Ping-Pong diplomacy”, in other words, harmonious and constructive cooperation between countries from the same continent.
Sources :
Franc-Tireur n°144
https://www.herodote.net/10_juillet_1947-evenement-19470710.php
https://www.moretoherstory.org/reporting/afghan-athlete-marzieh-hamidi-launches-letuslive-hashtag
https://www.lhistoire.fr/les-premiers-jeux-olympiques
