Palestinian Olympic team receives warm welcome in Paris

The Palestinian Olympic team arrived in Paris to a hero’s welcome: cheering crowds, gifts and waving Palestinian flags in solidarity.

The athletes, who represent war-torn Gaza and the territories on the world stage, hope their presence will be a symbol of resilience and equality. Amid the war between Israel and Hamas, which has claimed more than 39,000 Palestinian lives, the team’s arrival sparked calls for France to recognize Palestinian statehood and outrage over Israel’s presence at the Games.

Yazan Al-Bawwab, a 24-year-old Palestinian swimmer, expressed his determination to raise the flag and challenge the status quo. “We are not treated as human beings, but when we start playing sports, people realize that we are equal to them.”

The team’s welcome highlights the intersection of sport and politics as the world comes together in Paris amid global unrest, wars, migration and climate crisis. The Olympic Games have become a platform for voices to be heard and solidarity to be shown.