In early 2024, the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) held a festive press conference to unveil this year's competition schedule, which includes a record 85 events, coming from 32 different sports. Among the impressive statistics stands out the fact that 52 of the events are international and 15 of them are major championships.
The kick-off (literally) of the country's biggest sporting year kicked off this weekend at the same stadiums that hosted the World Cup at the end of 2022. Subsequently, the Instrument Gymnastics World Cup, the women's tennis world tour, will be held in the country, and this year will close in December with the round competition of the world's most famous car race – Formula 1.
The highlight will come next month with the opening of the 21st World Aquatics Championships in Doha from February 2 to February 18. The championships will include the five Olympic disciplines involved in swimming: competitive swimming, water jumping, artistic swimming, water polo and open water swimming. In addition, there will be a competition in high jumping into the water.
Some 2,600 athletes from 190 countries will travel to Doha to compete in 75 different events, most notably securing their place at the Paris Olympics through the biggest test competition before the Olympics. But even at these moments, the big question mark is whether Israel will also be part of it.
Last Criterion competition before Paris 2024, photo: AFP
Qatar's double game, an iron sword
war, has caused headaches for the captains of Israeli sports. Some of the sports were forced to travel and play the "home" games outside the borders of the country, some canceled events that were supposed to take place in Israel, such as the European Water Polo Championships, the Grand Slam in Judo, the ATP tournament and more.
The big problem was the departure of the delegations, when the Olympic Committee decided to examine the importance of the events and cancel the departure of youth delegations. Those who had already left did so under heavy security, which led to increased expenses.
When the committee members went over the schedule of the upcoming competitions, a red light went off on Qatar, the same country that on the one hand is trying to get closer to the West and hosts many important sporting events and even dreams of the Olympic Games in 2036, and on the other hand serves as a haven for Hamas leaders and is considered one of the main funders of the terrorist organization.
At the beginning of December, a special video call was held between members of the swimming and water polo associations in Israel and senior officials of the World Swimming Association. The goal was to find alternative solutions for setting Olympic criteria for Paris 2024 in case Israel could not participate in the World Championships for security reasons.
Ten representatives from the World Union who participated in the meeting initially received an overview of the security situation in Israel. During the call, sirens were heard, causing delays, as some participants had to enter safe spaces.
Israel national water polo team. The European Championship that was supposed to be held in Israel was moved to another location, Photo: Water Polo Association
The message of the Israeli associations was that if the Shin Bet allowed the delegation to go to Doha, then Israel would participate in the World Championship. The World Union expressed solidarity with the tragedy Israel is going through. Their message was that they understood the situation, would consider all possible solutions and bring them up for discussion at another meeting, but as time went on all sides realized that there would be no other option but to participate in the championship.
In
recent years, many Israeli athletes have participated in events in Qatar, and it is clear to everyone that the story this time is completely different. By May 2023, you could already feel the hostility of the locals, who demonstrated several times inside the hall with Palestinian flags during the World Judo Championships.
Swimming Association Chairman Miki Halika clarified: "The safety of the athletes for us is above all. We are interested in coming to Doha and we will do so only if the state and the Shin Bet allow us to be there."
World Aquatics spokesman James Pierce also tried to reassure: "The safety of all water athletes always remains a top priority, and the 2024 World Water Championships in Doha is no different.
"Qatari organisers and authorities have put in place extensive plans and preparations to ensure that all necessary security measures are put in place to protect all participants," Pierce said. "The World Swimming Federation is aware of the complexity that could arise if Israel chooses not to compete in Doha."
Also addressing the complicated situation is Los Angeles 2028 Olympic organizing committee chairman Casey Wasserman, who said he does not support moving the world championships from Doha.
Casey Wasserman. Was in Qatar on October 7, Photo: GettyImages
Wasserman was in the city on 7 October, the same day as the brutal attack on the Gaza envelope and southern settlements. "I was with Sheikh Javan, who is a friend," Wasserman said, referring to Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, head of the Qatar Olympic Committee. "Two days later I told him, 'You need to write a letter to the Israeli Olympic Committee and say that not only are you invited, but we will make sure that all precautions are taken and that your team can compete with any other team regardless of the situation you are in.' Frankly, what the IOC should do is demand that from all qualifying events, because that should be the standard without exception."
When so far no alternative solutions have been found and it seems that there will no longer be any, the consequences for the non-participation of Israeli athletes in Qatar will be severe. Without participating, they will not have another opportunity to set the Olympic criteria for the pool relay swims, open water competitions and artistic swimming. Because of this, it is believed that the team will travel under heavy security and hope for sporting achievements that will justify the risk and efforts.
The hottest sports articles and updates on your Telegram
Join
Matan Roditi. Likely to arrive in Qatar, photo: Simona Castrovillari, Swimming Association
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us