Israel’s participation in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris amid their conflict in Gaza has sparked controversy, with some calling for their ban from the Games. This comes as countries like Russia and Belarus have been banned due to their involvement in the ongoing war in Ukraine. In the past, countries like Germany, Japan, South Africa, Rhodesia, Afghanistan, and Kuwait have all been banned from the Olympics for various reasons, ranging from war to apartheid policies and government interference. At the 2024 Olympics, Russia and Belarus have been banned, with only a limited number of athletes from these countries competing as “Individual Neutral Athletes” without their national symbols. This classification ensures that their national flags, anthems, and uniforms will not be displayed at the Games. Despite the controversies surrounding the participation of certain countries, the 2024 Olympics in Paris will see athletes from over 200 countries compete in 329 events spanning 32 sports. The games are set to take place from July 26 to August 11, with enhanced security measures in place for Israeli athletes due to the ongoing tensions.
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