Imagine being an Olympic athlete, representing your nation on the world stage and being told you cannot compete in your country’s official kit because it displays its flag and its name.
That is what Israeli triathlete Shachar Sagiv faced at the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Pontevedra, Spain.
The official Israeli uniform carried two things: the Israeli flag and the word “ISRAEL.” Sagiv was reportedly not permitted to wear it during the competition.
He competed anyway.
Think about what that means.
An athlete can represent Israel, compete internationally and carry the hopes of his country but the visible symbols identifying him as Israeli apparently became something he was expected to remove.
Sport is supposed to bring people together. National teams compete under their flags. Athletes proudly wear their countries’ colours.
So why should an Israeli athlete be expected to conceal his national identity?
Whatever one’s views of the Israeli government or the war, an Israeli athlete is not a government policy.
He is a sportsman.
He should be able to compete without being forced to erase the country he represents.
The Israeli flag should not be something an athlete has to hide. 
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