An Iranian swimmer refused to compete against his Israeli counterpart at the Beijing Olympics.
Mohammad Alirezaei pulled out of the 100-meter breaststroke race Saturday, apparently in protest at the participation of Israel’s Tom Beeri. An Iranian press report, however, said Alirezaei cited illness for his absence.
Iran refuses to recognize Israel and has boycotted the Jewish state in international events.
Separately, the Israeli coach of Russia’s basketball team said he shook hands with Iranian athletes Sunday. The encounter happened after David Blatt’s team trounced Iran at the Beijing Games.
Blatt, who is American-born, indicated to Israel Radio that the Iranians may not have known about his second nationality.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
