Fencers from Switzerland forgoing display of Israeli flag during ceremony sparks heated debate
Swiss Fencing Team Stirs Controversy at Under-23 European Championships
After their defeat against Israel in the 2025 Under-23 Championships in Tallinn, the Swiss team caused a stir by deciding not to join the Israeli and Italian teams in facing the flags during the playing of Israel's national anthem.
This move, which seemed to convey a political message concerning the Middle East conflict, attracted fierce criticism, particularly from Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed his displeasure about the incident on social media, posting a picture of the Swiss team members facing away from the medals podium.
"Embarrassing behavior from the Swiss team," he wrote, "You can't even accept defeat with grace."
The Swiss Fencing Association acknowledged their disappointment with the team's actions, stating, "We have no sympathy for the fact that our athletes misused the award ceremony for a political manifestation."
Though the Swiss team did congratulate the Israeli winners after the final, the association deeply regretted the team's behavior during the award ceremony, which they said had "hurt the feelings of the Israeli delegation."
Interestingly, the association also lamented that the team's actions had "demeaned the sporting success of the Swiss team with three medals at this U23 European Championships." They stressed that sporting competitions should not be used for expressing political opinions, while acknowledging athletes' personal rights to their political views.
Following their return from Estonia, the Swiss Fencing Association intends to discuss the matter with the U23 team and decide on any measures to be taken.
The incident reflects a broader trend of international sports serving as a platform for political statements amidst global conflicts and tensions.
- The Swiss Fencing Association adds that the team's actions during the Under-23 European Championships, which resulted in a political statement concerning the Middle East conflict, had also demeaned the sporting success of the Swiss team with three medals.
- Despite their controversial decision at the Under-23 European Championships, the Swiss fencers did offer congratulations to the Israeli winners in the final, yet their behavior during the award ceremony significantly hurt the feelings of the Israeli delegation.
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, expressing his disappointment about the Swiss team's actions following their defeat against Israel at the Under-23 Championships, posted a picture of the team members on social media facing away from the medals podium and wrote, "Embarrassing behavior from the Swiss team, You can't even accept defeat with grace."
- The Swiss Fencing Association, while acknowledging the athletes' personal rights to their political views, stresses that sporting competitions like the Under-23 European Championships should not be used for expressing political opinions, as it can lead to general news coverage and further embarrassment for their country.
