Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Four Israeli Athletes Barred From Northern Ireland Triathlon
Four athletes from Israel were expected to compete in a triathlon in Londonderry.
They will no longer take part in the race.
The North West Triathlon Club objected after learning that Israeli athletes were on the entry list.
The club said it was protesting Israel’s representation in international sports while Palestinians continue to suffer.
Julie Middleton, a local politician, said excluding the athletes was wrong and made Londonderry look unwelcoming.
Police said they knew about possible protests related to the event.
The race is expected to feature up to 200 athletes from around the world.
The decision is part of wider disagreement over whether Israeli teams should compete internationally during the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Four Israeli athletes will not compete in Saturday’s Europe Triathlon Cup in Londonderry.
North West Triathlon Club opposed their participation after seeing them on the provisional entry list.
The club said its objection concerned Israel’s representation in international sport, not religion or ethnicity.
Democratic Unionist Party assembly member Julie Middleton criticized the decision as harmful to Londonderry’s reputation for hospitality.
Northern Ireland police said they became aware of potential protest activity connected to the event.
- Who
- Four Israeli athletes, the North West Triathlon Club, Europe Triathlon, Triathlon Ireland and Julie Middleton.
- What
- The athletes will not compete in the Europe Triathlon Cup after the North West Triathlon Club opposed their participation.
- When
- The race is scheduled for Saturday, September 5, 2026; the decision was reported on Thursday, September 4.
- Where
- Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
- Why
- The North West Triathlon Club said it opposed presenting Israel as normal in international sport while Palestinians continue to suffer.
Opposition to Israeli Participation
Criticism of the Exclusion
Whether the athletes should compete
Opposition to Israeli Participation
The North West Triathlon Club said it could not support Israeli representation at the event while Palestinians continue to suffer.
Criticism of the Exclusion
Julie Middleton said excluding athletes because they are Israeli was an unacceptable reflection on Londonderry and undermined the event’s message of hospitality and openness.
Nature of the decision
Opposition to Israeli Participation
The North West Triathlon Club said its position concerned representation of the state of Israel in international sport, not anyone’s religion or ethnicity.
Criticism of the Exclusion
Critics characterized the outcome as the exclusion of athletes because they are Israeli.
- Event
- Europe Triathlon Cup, also referred to as the City of Derry Triathlon
- Location
- Londonderry, Northern Ireland
- Athletes affected
- Four Israeli athletes
- Expected field
- Up to 200 athletes from around the world
- Opposing organization
- North West Triathlon Club
- Critic
- Julie Middleton of the pro-United Kingdom Democratic Unionist Party
- Police response
- The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it was aware of potential protest activity through social media.