Protests Halt Tour of Spain—What About World Cup, Winter Olympics?

Sept. 19—This year’s Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain) bike race could not be completed, after some 100,000 pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the last 50 km of the race’s route in Madrid and forced organizers to terminate the event on Sept. 14. Protesters said that in light of their country’s genocide against the Palestinians, Israelis should not have been allowed to participate.

But there were other eyes on the events in Spain. Sources report that the International Olympic Committee (IOC)is expecting a push by many nations to seek a ban of Israel from next year's Winter Olympics which are to be in Paris; two years later the Summer Olympics will be held in the United States.

Sources report that there is already discussion about how to deal with an Israeli ban, which, it is expected, would be approved by the IOC. The United States would likely oppose the motion, but "it has enough support to be passed," said a source. The question will be whether Israeli athletes would be allowed to compete, just not under the Israeli flag. As the Russians have been allowed to do, since the IOC barred Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

"But there is a problem with this," said a source. "The Russian athletes were not held accountable for the actions of their government. In some ways, there were viewed as victims of circumstance. But the Israelis seem to be held responsible, period. That would make them targets for protestors, or even terrorist organizations.

Another point of focus could also be next year's World Cup, which will take place in North America, including in the United States. If the war continues, it would be expected that Israel will be barred from the competition. Meanwhile, Palestine is expected to field a team and would be allowed to play and see if they can qualify.

"The best way to solve this problem is to just end this damn war in Gaza," said the source. 

In stopping the bike Tour of Spain, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez supported the protesters. “Today marks the end of the Vuelta. Our respect and recognition for the athletes and our admiration for the Spanish people who are mobilizing for just causes like Palestine. Spain today shines as an example and as a source of pride … taking a step forward in the defense of human rights,” he said. “I think that debate that’s begun after what happened here in Madrid yesterday should widen and spread to all corners of the world. It’s already happening in some parts of the world and we’ve seen how European governments are saying that as long as the barbarism continues, Israel can’t use any international platform to whitewash its presence. And I think that sports organizations need to ask themselves whether it’s ethical for Israel to keep taking part in international competitions.”