The family of Rhythmic gymnast Shani Bakanov representing Israel at the 2024 Paris Olympics said late on Monday that they have been receiving threats on her life. "How did they get our phone number?" mother Krystina asked.
"You are not invited to the Olympic Games unless you are prepared to deal with something that is 10 times worse than September 1972," the message read. Then 11 Israelis were murdered by Palestinian terrorists during the Munich Olympics. "pay attention to your surroundings, in airports, hotels and on the streets that belong to no one. Nothing will save you."
Roy Shvetz head of the Haifa Maccabi Sports association said he had faith in Israel's security agencies "We can't let such messages scare us," he said.
"More families received the same message," Bakanov's sister Lolita told Ynet. " We passed it on to the relevant authorities. At first, it was very stressful and frightening because we planned to travel to Paris. It is very sad to know that rather than concentrating on sports, this happens. But we will not miss the chance to be there and encourage the team after the girls worked so hard to get where they are."
The rhythmic gymnastics team this year, is considered one of the best team Israel has had. It won the gold medal in the 2023 World Championship in Spain and the silver medal the year before.
"Unfortunately there is a hate attack and threats against our athletes," the Israeli Olympic Commission said in a statement. "The Israeli athletes are also part of the campaign against Israel's war. We thank the security services from Israel and abroad and French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, who are responsible for the safety of athletes, for their tireless work to ensure our security. The answer will be given on the field and the Israeli delegation will continue to represent the county with honor and integrity."
The commission reported on Monday of threats the Israeli athletes had received. Darmanin informed the French Prosecutor's Office about emails containing threats against the lives of members of the Israeli delegation. The office appointed France's national authority fighting online hate speech to investigate.