Dr. Kamilla Swart-Arries
On July 10, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to the passing of Frank van der Horst, former President of the South African Council on Sport (SACOS) and anti-apartheid activist. Those who grew up and played sport during apartheid South Africa knew only too well that sport and politics are inextricably intertwined, a point reinforced by SACOS’ then slogan that there is “no normal sport in an abnormal society.” During the apartheid era, with sport in South Africa divided along racial lines, boycotts and protests were common occurrences and eventually culminated in the country’s isolation from international sport. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) played a key role, effectively banning South African athletes from participating in international sport from the Tokyo Olympics (1964) to the Barcelona Games (1992). Further sanctions included the 1970 expulsion of the South African Olympic Committee, which came 11 years after FIFA’s decision to expel South Africa from international football competitions.
More recently, both the IOC and FIFA reacted to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by initially banning Russian and Belarussian athletes from international competition. The United Nations Human Rights Council nevertheless indicated that a blanket ban on these athletes was discriminatory and a violation of human rights. In response, the IOC recommended in March 2023 that Russian and Belarusian athletes could compete as Individual Neutral Athletes, along with other criteria being met.
A similar standard could be applied to Israel before the start of the Paris Olympic Games in response to the Gaza conflict. The IOC nevertheless views both cases very differently, a stance that reeks of double standards.
While these cases can be viewed as precedent, the IOC argued that the exclusion of South Africa was based on United Nations sanctions and the fact that apartheid was also practised in South African sport. It should therefore come as no surprise that South Africa instigated proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in December 2023, alleging that Israel’s conduct in Gaza violated their obligations under the Genocide Convention.
Moreover, South Africa framed its case within the wider context of Israel’s 75-year long stance of apartheid towards Palestinians. As the current conflict has unfurled, Palestinian athletes and activists have also called on the IOC to hold Israel to the same standard by excluding its athletes from Paris 2024.
Following the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal, the International Federation of Human Rights sent an open letter to IOC President Thomas Bach, urging the Committee to uphold its commitment to equality, human rights, and non-discrimination by addressing the current situation with the same vigour and impartiality. Similarly, the Palestine Olympic Committee sent a letter to Bach asking him to ban Israel, citing the bombings of the besieged strip as a breach of the Olympic truce. Reference was also made to the suffering of Palestinian athletes, including an estimated 400 that have been killed, destruction of sport facilities, and the ICJ’s findings. The letter also implies that Israel’s actions amount to a gross violation of the Olympic Charter.
FIFA’s decision to postpone its ruling on whether Israel should be suspended from football competitions to August 31 also paves the way for the country to participate in the upcoming Games despite mounting pressure by federations, activists and non-profit organizations for action.
As the Olympic Games start and calls to ban Israel grow increasingly louder, it is unfathomable to think that international sporting bodies like the IOC and FIFA lack the political will to act in the same clear-cut manner as they did with apartheid South Africa. Back then, their boycotts and other measures formed part of a larger campaign that made a substantial contribution to dismantling that country’s oppressive regime. It is this type of pressure from all quarters, including international sport organizations, participating countries and athletes, amongst others, that can be effective in bringing an end to the illegal occupation of Gaza and all Palestinian territory; just as it did in South Africa.
Dr. Kamilla Swart-Arries is an associate professor and Director of the Master of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Science and Engineering.
Associate Professor and Director: Sport and Entertainment Management College of Science and Engineering, HBKU
