This week’s case of the International Ski Federation (FIS), which decided not to readmit Russian athletes even as neutrals, contrasts with the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), which is considering reopening the door. Two opposing approaches that reveal a fracture within the Olympic Movement. And with the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games just around the corner… what will this distance within the Olympic Movement mean? Russia should be looked at with the same eyes by all of international Olympism, regardless of the sport or the leadership of one federation or another.

The IOC statement and an open dilemma

The situation coincided with a pronouncement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which at its most recent Executive Board meeting focused on a different but related issue: the importance of guaranteeing access for all athletes to countries hosting international competitions. The statement was clear: “These actions deprive athletes of their right to compete peacefully and prevent the Olympic Movement from showing the power of sport.”

The trigger was Indonesia’s cancellation of visas for Israeli athletes, which led the IOC to suspend any dialogue with its national Olympic committee regarding future candidacies. It also recommended that international federations not take events to that country until guarantees of access for all exist.

The risk of double standards

The principle championed by the IOC —free and non-discriminatory access for all athletes— clashes with the uneven practice we see today among the federations. How can it be explained that in some sports a Russian athlete could compete and in others cannot? What message does it send to society when the criteria are not uniform? Is Russia’s invasion different from Israel’s?

The problem goes beyond the specific case of Russia. If the IOC considers that nothing has changed in Ukraine over the past year, it must sustain that position clearly and maintain the restrictions. If, on the other hand, it believes that new conditions exist and that Russian and Belarusian athletes should return under neutral formulas, it must also say so unambiguously —just as it does with Israel— even though bodies such as the United Nations are still asking Benjamin Netanyahu for guarantees of peace and to allow basic actions such as humanitarian aid.

A responsibility of the Olympic Movement

Without Olympic unity and clarity, each federation will continue applying its own criteria, creating a kind of fragmented marketplace of decisions that reflects division, not unity. And if global sport needs something in times of political and social tension, it is coherence. Sport, at this moment, must be a social “glue” and an example, as it was little more than a year ago with the seamless coexistence in the Olympic Village.

In this line of openness and normalization was Astrit Hasani, president of the European Weightlifting Federation (EWF), who last week sent an open letter to IOC president Kirsty Coventry. In it, he called for an end to the ‘Individual Neutral Athlete’ (AIN) status, arguing that it contradicts the Olympic principles of equality and fairness.

The paradox is that the IOC itself warns of the importance of all athletes having access to compete, while at the same time maintaining silence on Russia, leaving space for opposing interpretations. How much longer can the Olympic Movement sustain this situation without putting the credibility of its principles at risk?

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In a context of reconstruction, sport can become a powerful social tool. The best example took place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where athletes representing rival countries coexisted without any problems. It was a faithful reflection of the power of sport and its values. That coexistence was one of the great achievements that will remain forever in memory.

It will never be the same, but…

The new scenario would facilitate the participation of Palestinian and Israeli athletes in international competitions without the political barriers that currently condition their presence. Yet nothing will ever be the same, given that, according to the Palestinian Olympic Committee, more than 600 Palestinian athletes lost their lives in this Israeli offensive, including more than 300 footballers such as Rashid Dabour and Mohammed Barakat; as well as other distinguished figures like Ibrahim Qusaya, a player on the Palestinian national volleyball team; Mohamed al-Dalou, president of the Palestinian Table Tennis Federation; and Nagham Abu Samra, Palestinian karate champion.

Perhaps this is the right moment for different international organizations to strengthen their role in the region to build bridges and ease hostilities. From FIFA to the International Olympic Committee, global sport has often demonstrated the ability to unite peoples and cultures in contexts of conflict. In Gaza and Israel, a stable peace would make it possible to implement inclusion and training programs that have been unfeasible in recent years. Still, the fine print of this promising peace remains to be seen, and whether all parties are truly satisfied with the agreement. Hopefully so.

Lessons from recent history

Looking back, sport has often been a glue. Perhaps the most famous case was South Africa, where, after apartheid, rugby and football became symbols of national reconciliation. For humanity, that legendary 1995 Rugby World Cup, won by the Springboks and handed the trophy by Nelson Mandela to his captain, remains unforgettable. In the Balkans, despite deep divisions, basketball and water polo helped rebuild relations between rival communities. Why shouldn’t Gaza and Israel now find inspiration in these examples? It is true that sport will not erase wounds, but it does extend a hand and foster coexistence.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (14507483z)
Simon Clarke of Australia, Marco Frigo of Italy, Hugo Hofstetter of France, Nick Schultz of Australia and Team Israel – Premier Tech prior to the 107th Giro d’Italia 2024, Stage 12, a 193km stage from Martinsicuro to Fano are seen in Martinsicuro, Italy, on May 16th, 2024.
107th Giro d’Italia 2024 – Stage 12, Martinsicuro, Italy – 16 May 2024

Cycling also shows how sport is used as an international platform. The Israel – Premier Tech team, present in the Grand Tours and on the WorldTour, has been criticized for being dragged into political debate (its owner, Adam Sylver, is closely aligned with Benjamin Netanyahu). A real peace would open the possibility for its message to focus on sport. In fact, from 2026 it will no longer bear that name or carry any symbol associated with the state of Israel, a gesture that indicates the willingness for sport to reign above all else.

The risk of instrumentalization

It is also true that experience has shown that sport can be used as a political tool. The challenge will be to prevent it from becoming a propaganda showcase and to ensure that gestures of cooperation are not limited to photo opportunities. The key will lie in authentic, honest, and integral projects designed for coexistence and the consolidation of peace.

With consolidated peace, sport in the region could once again fulfill its most essential function: to unite, educate, and open horizons. But before any of this can happen, peace must be fully confirmed, and it must be one in which all parties are genuinely satisfied. From there, sport will do its work for society.

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Adam Hansen, president of the international cyclists’ union Cyclistes Professionnels Associés — CPA, told ‘Cyclingnews’ about a meeting with Sylvan Adams (the team owner, a Zionist and linked to Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu) during the World Championships in Kigali: “We talked about everything that happened at La Vuelta, how it affected the team and the external tensions. Sylvan told me he would do everything possible to protect the riders.” For Hansen, the move “was not a surprise,” and he views it positively because it puts the focus back on performance.

What changes and what remains

Adams stepping back from day-to-day management symbolizes the shift but does not mean a financial withdrawal: he will continue to contribute a significant portion of the annual budget—he currently provides €10 million of the team’s €28 million—while the roster retains its Israeli riders. In parallel, the squad will undertake a full rebranding from 2026 (name, image, and communications policies) with the aim of normalizing its relationship with races and host cities.

The trigger has been cumulative: protests, reputational wear, and a media narrative that sidelined sporting performance in favor of the sponsor’s identity. The new roadmap seeks to reduce the political exposure of the jersey and stabilize invitations and licenses without altering the project’s competitive core.

Is this a harbinger of a trend?

What has happened may foreshadow “intermediate” solutions in other sports and brands with sensitive ties: adjustments to naming, softening of symbols, reinforced security protocols, and an explicit separation between sporting and political narratives. There is no single rule: the response will depend on the geography of the calendar, the type of link (sponsorship, ownership, location), and social pressure in each country.

Practically speaking, organizers and sponsors will assess on a case-by-case basis the combination of security risk and reputational erosion. When both factors build up, the likelihood increases of requesting branding changes that allow events to go ahead without turning them into a political plebiscite.

Will it affect Netanyahu’s government?

The impact on Israeli domestic politics is indirect. Sporting decisions of this kind shape external perception and can add reputational costs, but translating that into parliamentary support or coalition stability depends on variables outside cycling and sport. In the sporting ecosystem, by contrast, they are decisive: they defuse flashpoints, provide certainty to sponsors, and put the conversation back on the road.

In parallel, the industry is already operating under a stricter framework of compliance and reputational clauses: organizers, teams, and brands are building safeguards into contracts that allow adjustments to naming, symbols, or visibility if political or security circumstances change, along with risk protocols (pre-venue assessments, contingency plans, and coordinated messaging).

The UCI and the promoters of major races have strengthened their dialogue with local authorities and police forces; sponsors, for their part, demand ongoing due diligence and impact metrics to avoid being trapped in narratives external to the sport. This framework—more technical than ideological—explains why intermediate solutions (rebranding, shared governance, codes of conduct) are gaining ground as a way to preserve competition without turning every race number into a political referendum.

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Beyond the sporting outcome, the question remains whether the organisers of one of cycling’s Grand Tours had truly anticipated such a scenario, given how exposed an Israeli team inevitably is. Should La Vuelta bear the consequences? And is it justifiable to define a protest by activists as an “act of violence”?

The demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and banners with slogans such as “Neutrality is complicity. Boycott Israel.” At least one person was arrested, though no physical injuries were reported. The Israeli squad, however, was visibly unsettled by the interruption, in an episode that abruptly inserted international politics into the Spanish race. Images of the cyclists brought to a halt by a banner spread quickly across media outlets and social networks, with sport taking a back seat for several minutes.

Minimal security in a high-risk context

The team was escorted only by two motorbikes throughout the course. A level of protection that contrasts starkly with the security measures usually surrounding Israeli delegations at major events. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, for instance, Israel’s delegation was guarded around the clock by Shin Bet agents, drones and anti-terrorist units within a carefully designed “ring of steel.” In football, matches such as France-Israel in the Nations League required the deployment of more than 4,000 police officers. The comparison is inevitable.

The difference between those measures and what took place at La Vuelta is striking. The Basque police, Ertzaintza, has already announced a special operation in Bilbao to strengthen protection for the team, with plainclothes officers, hotel surveillance and canine patrols. Still, the Figueres episode revealed how easily a small group of protesters could disrupt the competition. Should an event of this magnitude limit itself to reacting once the damage has been done?

The discussion goes beyond cycling. If a tournament chooses to invite a team with such a politically sensitive profile, it must also provide the necessary security guarantees. Otherwise, the exposure to risk is obvious, and the organisers stand accused of failing to foresee a scenario that was anything but unlikely. The protest at La Vuelta highlighted how inadequate the security response was for such a visible and vulnerable target.

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“This afternoon has been the most difficult. Bombs have fallen nearby and it has been noticeable,” Guijosa told the newspaper ‘El País’ on Tuesday via email, the only reliable means of communication. From his window, he has been able to see the smoke from the attacks on television studios, while tension grows in the Iranian capital.

No immediate options for leaving Iran

Guijosa’s goal is to leave the country as soon as possible, but the options are practically non-existent. “Leaving by road is dangerous and there are no flights.” Nor is it feasible to leave Iran by sea to Doha or Dubai. “I am in constant contact with the embassy and awaiting their instructions. I will do whatever they tell me to do. For now, we have to stay calm.”

The coach also expressed concern about the possibility of losing his internet connection, which would prevent him from communicating with his family in Spain. In the meantime, he has sent out an SOS to his contacts in Spanish handball, including FC Barcelona, to publicize his situation and speed up the process of getting him out.

Support from Spain and Iran

Guijosa expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from Spain, especially from Paco Blázquez, president of the Spanish Handball Federation, and the Higher Sports Council. “I know they are doing everything they can,” he told ‘El País’. He also highlighted the behavior of the Iranian federation, which has provided him with hotel accommodation for security reasons. “They are taking care of me and helping me with everything. Their behavior is exemplary.”

The former player does not reside permanently in Iran, although he spends time in the country due to his work with the national team. “I was training with the national team eight hours by car from Tehran when we were told to cancel training and return to the capital.”

World handball star

Rafa Guijosa is one of the most prominent figures in Spanish handball. As a player, he was part of Barcelona’s legendary Dream Team, with which he won five consecutive European Cups between 1995 and 2000. In 1999, he was named the world’s best player by the international federation. With the Spanish national team, in addition to two Olympic bronze medals, he scored 538 goals in 119 games.

His first stint as Iran’s coach was between 2012 and 2014. He then coached Ademar León between 2015 and 2019, before returning to Asia in September to take up the position again.

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Organizers expressed that Maccabiah 2025 was meant to be a symbol of hope and resilience for the Jewish people after a particularly painful period, marked by the October 7 attacks. However, after several risk assessments, they determined that the most responsible action, both logistically and ethically, was to postpone the event by one year. “We were nearly at the starting line, but safety comes first,” said Assaf Goren, president of the Maccabiah.

A sporting tradition that adapts to adversity

Known as the “Jewish Olympics“, the Maccabiah Games gather thousands of Jewish athletes from around the world every four years. In 2025, over 8,000 participants from 55 countries were expected to compete in 45 disciplines across cities like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Yaffa, Haifa, and Sderot. One of the cornerstones of this edition was to be the creation of Expo Maccabiah City, a cultural and sports hub aimed at reinforcing the spirit of community following recent conflicts.

The announcement of the postponement was well received by major international federations and delegations, including Maccabi GB, which acknowledged the efforts and commitment of athletes up to this point. Although significant costs have already been incurred, organizers are working to mitigate the financial impact and keep planning efforts alive. This marks only the second time in the event’s history that a major delay has occurred — the first being in 2021 due to the pandemic — highlighting the exceptional nature of the current moment. Despite everything, the Maccabi World Union affirmed that the flame of the Maccabiah remains alive and that the Games will return once conditions allow.

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“Paris 2024 has shown us that sport has the ability to build bridges where there used to be walls. Here, nations have competed not as enemies, but as equals, reminding us that peace is possible when we come together for a common purpose.” Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), highlighted this exemplary coexistence after the Olympic Games to somehow serve as an inspiration for the rest of the world and send a message of hope.

In the midst of the international tensions that plague the world, sport and, especially, the Olympic Games emerge as a reminder of the human potential for coexistence and the desire that the street has to breathe tranquility. The Paris Olympic Village was a loudspeaker for the aforementioned hope: if there are neighbors from opposing countries living together in peace, it means that outside the Games there can also be peaceful coexistence. Eight Palestinian Olympians and 88 Israelis (although the latter were escorted as a precaution) walked along the route.

PARIS 2024: A MODEL OF UNITY

In Paris 2024, athletes from countries historically in conflict shared podiums and showed that the competition can be a platform for reconciliation. One of the most symbolic moments was the selfie on the podium between mixed doubles table tennis players from North Korea (silver) and South Korea (bronze). Their smiles seemed to say: we want to get along and again put sport as a powerful diplomatic tool.

Returning to the truce in Gaza, although temporary, it invites us to reflect on the positive impact of initiatives such as the Olympic Games and the capacity that sport has to build bridges between cultures and nations, acting as an exemplary model of cooperation to resolve conflicts.

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Since the arrival of the Israeli team at Roissy airport last Monday, a high level of protection was activated similar to the one the team received during the last Olympic Games, where the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN) and the RAID unit of the national police ensured 24-hour surveillance of the delegation. For this event, the security forces in Paris have been reinforced, deploying more than 2,000 agents and extending the security perimeter around the stadium. In addition to the usual access controls, there will be thorough checks to prevent possible disturbances, reinforcing the authorities’ commitment to ensuring that the event takes place safely.

A SAFE FRANCE – ISRAEL EVENT

Coordination between the police prefecture and the French Football Federation includes preventive monitoring inside and outside the stadium, in response to growing concerns about possible demonstrations or acts of violence. Laurent Nunez, prefect of the Paris police, stated that security forces will act “swiftly in the face of any eventuality, prioritizing order and the protection of both players and attendees.”

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau reaffirmed the government’s commitment not to give in to external pressure or move the match elsewhere, despite the sensitive context. “France is not backing down,” he assured, underlining the authorities’ determination to ensure the safety of all those involved in the event. This decision underlines the message of strength and control by the government, which has intensified the operation with agents from specialized units and monitoring teams.

LEARNING FROM THE OLYMPIC GAMES

The measures implemented are expected to ensure a controlled environment during the game, with elite units such as RAID and GIGN ready to intervene if necessary. This level of preparedness and protection has been implemented at recent major sporting events in France, such as the Olympic Games, and reflects the country’s willingness to maintain public order in the midst of complex circumstances.

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[The video in Amsterdam with Israel fans]

The unrest followed Ajax’s 5-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Johan Cruyff Arena. As fans gathered in various parts of Amsterdam, confrontations ensued. Amsterdam police reported that 57 arrests were made, citing incidents that occurred from the Dam Square area to the end of the match. Authorities were deployed to prevent escalations between Israeli fans and pro-Palestinian demonstrators, who had gathered on Anton de Komplein after their initial protest location near the stadium was moved.

Reports indicate that the situation grew increasingly volatile in the early hours as Maccabi fans, who traveled by metro to the city center, were met with physical aggression, including objects being thrown and property damage. Police intervened and accompanied the Israeli fans back to their hotels.

JOINT STATEMENT

In a joint statement, Amsterdam’s leadership – including the mayor, police chief, and chief public prosecutor – condemned the attacks as “an unacceptable outburst of violence” and called it “indefensible.” They further condemned any antisemitic behavior observed during the night and underscored the city’s commitment to the safety of both Israeli visitors and the local Jewish community.

The Amsterdam city government has pledged extra police presence in the coming days to monitor and control the situation. Additionally, they are coordinating with the Dutch government, the Israeli embassy, and local Jewish organizations to ensure heightened security around Jewish sites and institutions.

NETANYAHU SENDS AID FROM ISRAEL

Prime Minister Netanyahu, who expressed deep concern over the violence, revealed that two Israeli planes have been dispatched to assist citizens affected by the incident. In a statement released through ‘Reuters’, Netanyahu condemned the attacks as a “violent episode against Israeli nationals” and emphasized his commitment to ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens abroad.

The issue also reached Dutch television Thursday night. During the broadcast of “Bar Laat” on NPO1, a pro-Palestinian activist interrupted host Jeroen Pauw as he introduced Frans Timmermans, the GroenLinks-PvdA leader. The protester accused the show of “failing to provide a platform for anti-genocide demonstrators,” citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The activist was escorted out by security shortly after.

ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT

The recent unrest highlights rising tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has continued to provoke intense debate and activism across Europe. Many in Amsterdam’s Jewish community have voiced anxiety over these incidents. The city’s leadership, aiming to protect public order and address community concerns, has called on anyone affected to come forward and report incidents to the police.

With growing concerns about safety and rising tensions, Amsterdam’s leaders have emphasized that all residents and visitors should feel secure in the city and that any form of targeted violence or hatred will be met with strict measures.

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