Algeria judoka, Fethi Nourine has withdrawn from the Olympics over possibilities of facing an Israeli opponent.
Nourine was billed to face Sudan’s Mohamed Abdalrasool in the men’s 73kg class on Monday, and would have to face Israeli Tohar Butbul in the round of 32.
The judoka made the move in solidarity with Palestinians’ struggles with Israel.
“Palestine’s struggle is bigger than my struggle,” he said.
Palestine and Israel have been on a lifelong battle for decades with air strikes attacks on Gaza killing many women and children in May. The attack which lasted 11 days killed 248 Palestinians, including 66 children and 12 Israelis.
At least 1,000 homes were also bombed in the attacks, with 17 of them being medical facilities and several other structures owned media companies and isolation Centres for COVID-19.