Palestine at the Olympics
The State of Palestine first established the Palestine Olympic Committee (PLE) in 1969 and was included as a provisional member in the Olympic Council of Asia in 1986. They officially became a member of the International Olympic Committee in 1995. The following year, they participated in their first-ever Summer Games by sending Majed Abu Maraheel and Ihab Salama to represent them in Athletics.
Since their debut in 1996, they have participated in every Summer Games. In 2004, they sent their first athlete to represent them in Swimming and in 2012 for Judo.
They are yet to participate in the Winter Games or win their first-ever Olympic medal.
Competitors
- 1996 - there were two representatives, Majdi Abu Marahil who ran in the men's 10,000 meters and Ihab Salama, who did not compete.
- 2000 - Palestine sent two athletes to Sydney in 2000 – swimmer Samar Nassar and men’s 20m race walker Rami Deib Abdel Hami.
- 2004 - The Athens 2004 team consisted of three athletes, including a female flag bearer: Sanaa Abu - Bkheet, a 19-year-old 800m runner.
- 2008 - Palestine sent four athletes to Beijing in 2008, two runners and two swimmers.
- 2012 - In London Palestine were represented by Baha Alfarra (Men’s 400m), Woroud Sawalha (Women’s 800m), Ahmed Gebrel (Men’s 50m freestyle) and Sabine Hazbou (Women’s 50m free style), and one judoka, Maher Abu Rmeileh.
- 2016 - six athletes, four men and two women, were selected to the Palestinian team in athletics (2), swimming (2), judo (1), and equestrian (1).
- 2021 - five athletes, 3 men and 2 women, were selected to the Palestinian team in athletics (1), swimming (2), judo (1), and weightlifting (1).
Trivia
- A judo participant at the 2012 London Games, Maher Abu Rmeileh, is the first Palestinian to ever qualify for the Olympics. The other athletes from these and previous Games have competed on special invitation from the IOC, extended to athletes from countries where training conditions are poor.
Related Pages
- See also Israel at the Olympics
- List of all countries that have participated at the Olympic Games.
- About sport in Palestine
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