Independent Olympian makes controversial statement against IOC
The latest episode of ‘Olympic athlete rebels against the IOC’ is one of the most fascinating cases yet.
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Kuwaiti trap shooter Fehaid Al-Deehani became the first Independent Olympic Athlete to capture a gold medal Wednesday when he won the double trap shooting competition, beating out Italy’s Marco Innocenti.
Fehaid Al-Deehani wins gold medal in double trap shooting. Photo: Getty
But Al-Deehani, who is a Kuwait army officer, made a cheeky attempt to protest the International Olympic Committee’s banning Kuwait from the Olympics. According to the NBC online broadcast, Al-Deehani used a marker to cross out the “Independent Olympic Athlete” label on the back of his uniform.
As you can probably imagine, the IOC wasn’t having it. Officials apparently made Al-Deehani attach a makeshift “IOA” label to obscure the one he had reportedly tampered with.
“My achievement is for myself,” Al-Deehani said after winning gold. “I would like to give my achievement to my country [Kuwait], but we are banned. I consider this only for me.”
Al-Deehani has been forced to compete as an Independent Olympic Athlete because Kuwait has been barred from the Olympics by the IOC for government interference in sport, whatever that means. Other international sport governing bodies, like FIFA, have also suspended Kuwait’s teams.
Officials allegedly made Al-Deehani attach a makeshift label on the back of his uniorm.
Al-Deehani reportedly was asked to carry the neutral IOC team flag at the Opening Ceremony but refused. “I am a military man and I will only carry the Kuwait flag,” he said, according to AFP. “I cannot carry the IOC flag.”
Al-Deehani received his gold medal with a smile Wednesday. But there was no Kuwaiti national anthem and no Kuwaiti flag to accompany him on the podium.
Sports break – Aug 11