For Israeli and Palestinian Olympians, fear and triumph even before the flame is lit

Israel’s Olympic athletes have been receiving threatening messages by email and phone in the past week, as France is on its highest security alert in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games.

French authorities have arrested teen Islamic State sympathisers who planned on carrying out attacks during the Olympics.

Israel’s National Security Council has told Israelis travelling to Paris for the Olympics to exercise increased caution, warning that global jihadist and Iran-backed terror organisations “are seeking to carry out attacks on Israeli/Jewish targets around the Olympics”.

Israeli athletes are also bracing themselves for an angry reception, including protests outside games, boos inside stadiums, opponents refusing to shake their hands, or other staged provocations, amid the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.

The Palestine Olympic Committee claims 400 athletes have been killed during the war in Gaza and called for the Israeli team to be banned as a response to the conflict.

France Unbowed lawmaker Thomas Portes said Israel's delegation was not welcome and called for protests against their participation.

But there was a momment of hope this week when Israeli and Palestinian athletes joined hundreds of Olympic athletes in a "Call for Peace" event at the Olympic village. Wearing scarfs with the message “Give peace a chance” and holding flags with the same words, they emphasised the powerful role that sport can play to foster peace and mutual understanding. The event included athletes whose countries are currently in conflict or war with each other.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that Israeli athletes were “welcome” for the Paris Olympics and would be provided with 24-hour protection.