6 most ridiculous anti-Semitic moments at the 2016 Olympics so far

2. Syrian boxer quit games instead of fighting an Israeli athlete

Considered one of the best boxers in Syria, Ala Ghasoun was expected to do very well in Rio, but he never made it to the games because he would have to fight an Israeli opponent.

Speaking to Arab media, Ghasoun said, “I quit the competition because my rival was Israeli, and I cannot shake his hand or compete against him while he represents a Zionist regime that kills the Syrian people.”

“If I fight against him, it would mean that I, as an athlete, and Syria, as a state, recognize the state of Israel,” he added.

Ghasoun, who said he trained very hard to get to Rio, clarified that it wasn’t his decision to quit but that of Syrian officials and the Syrian Sports Federation.

Syrian Boxing Association President Isa Nassar confirmed Ghasoun’s loyalty to country first:

“Ghasoun was expected to perform very well in the championship, because he is one of the best Syrian boxers. However, his love and loyalty to Syria and insistence on his principles were more important than winning the tournament.”