Olympic sailing coach says Lebanese snub serves as motivation

Israeli sailing coach Udi Gal has said the “shameful incident” which saw Lebanon’s Olympic Delegation refuse to allow Israeli athletes share a bus with them to go the opening ceremony will serve as motivation for his sailors when they get their competition underway.

Expressing when news of the incident broke on Friday evening, Gal has once taken to his Facebook account, where he wrote: “In just a few days Eyal Levin and Dan Froyliche, two of the most talented sailors I have had the privilege to coach, will take to the water in the biggest competition of their career. In order to get back to the reason we have all come to Rio for, I would like to express my thoughts now. The incident that occurred before the opening ceremony was an event which left my saddened.

“Only days before the opening ceremony was held, we participated in another ceremony, the memorial ceremony by the International Olympic Committee in memory of Munich Olympic athletes murdered by terrorists. We are here as a delegation athletes, here to represent their nation through sports, not politics. The Israeli delegation includes many outstanding athletes, who are first and fore most human beings.

“This shameful incident has only motivated us. The Olympic spirit is the most important thing and we’re here to protect it and carry it with pride.”

FOLLOW THE PROGRESS OF ALL THE ISRAELI AND JEWISH ATHLETES IN RIO HERE: