DOHA, Qatar (AP) – Israeli swimmer Anastasia Gorbenko was jeered by some in the crowd after finishing second in the women’s 400-meter medley on Sunday, the closing day of the World Aquatics Championships in Qatar. Ta.
Golbenko, 20, was commentating poolside immediately after the race when jeers rang out at Doha’s Aspire Dome.
Anastasia Gorbenko is a hero of Israel 🇱
Hear her calm after finishing second in the world as Qatari fans booed in the back.
“I’m very happy to be here representing my country during this difficult time. Being here with the Israeli flag flying means a lot to me and to my homeland.” pic.twitter.com/yMGBjeoWKf
— Eli Kowaz – איליי קואז (@elikowaz) February 18, 2024
“I’m very happy to be here and represent my country during these difficult times,” Golbenko said. In the midst of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. “It means a lot to me and to my country to be here with the Israeli flag, so that’s the best thing I can do.”
Others in the crowd then drowned out the jeers with applause and cheers.
British swimmer Freya Colbert won in 4:37.14. Gorbenko clocked a time of 4:37.36, followed by Italy’s Sara Franceschi in third place with a time of 4:37.86.
