Israeli athletes barred from Derry triathlon after participation concerns

Four Israeli athletes will not line up at the City of Derry Triathlon after organizers opposed their participation in the Europe Triathlon Cup.

The North West Triathlon Club said it learned about the athletes only after the provisional entry list appeared on the World Triathlon website. The club said it had no role in accepting or approving the international entries, then made what it called “strong representations” to Triathlon Ireland and Europe Triathlon.

“

There will be no Israeli representation competing at this event.

The club said its opposition was not directed at anyone because of religion or ethnicity. Instead, it described the decision as concerning “representation of the state of Israel in international sport and the attempt to present normality on the international sporting stage while Palestinians continue to suffer.” It also said the safety of athletes, volunteers, spectators and the public had remained its overriding priority in organizing the event.

“

An international sporting event that should showcase our city's hospitality and openness has instead become associated with the exclusion of athletes because they are Israeli.

Up to 200 athletes from around the world are due to compete. The Derry Anti War Coalition called the exclusion a “huge victory for common sense” and said the public could be relied upon to speak against injustice, particularly what it described as the treatment of Palestinians.

DUP MLA Julie Middleton took the opposite view, saying an international event intended to showcase Derry’s hospitality and openness had instead become associated with excluding athletes because they were Israeli. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it had become aware through social media of potential protest activity connected with the event.

“

The Derry public can always be depended on to raise a collective voice against injustice and there is no greater injustice than the treatment of Palestinians.