Report: Israeli attacks on Palestinian athletes violate Olympic Charter

Monday October 06, 2008 06:45 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

A new report by the Palestinian Sports Foundation 'Atlas' contends that the Israeli government is in violation of the International Olympic Charter, due to the Israeli military's ongoing targeting of Palestinian athletes.

Palestinian runner Nader Masri

The report documents the killing of 375 athletes, including high school, college and professional athletes, since the beginning of the current open conflict in 2000. In addition, the sports foundation estimates that around 2000 Palestinian athletes have been injured by Israeli forces in the same time frame. Atlas Foundation specifically named footballer Hamdi Shubeir and body-builder Abdul-Raoof Al-Ijlah (head of the Palestinian body builders' association), who were both killed in May of this year while practicing their respective sports.

Also, Palestinian athletes have had their facilities damaged and destroyed, have been prevented from traveling to meets, and unable to practice due to Israeli closures and checkpoints.

Palestinian Sports Minister Tahani Abu Daqqa worked with the foundation to put together the report, documenting the assaults against athletes. Atlas foundation said they will bring the report to the attention of the International Olympic Committee, and ask for sanctions against Israel. The International Olympic Charter forbids assaults against athletes who are practicing or performing their sport.

The Atlas Foundation says that Israel's ongoing assaults against athletes calls into question the Israeli government's commitment to the ideals of the Olympic Federation.

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