Israeli swimmer Anastasia Gorbenko cheered the crowd in Qatar
Sports
Published February 18, 2024, 2:34 pm ET
DOHA, Qatar – Israeli swimmer Anastasia Gorbenko was mocked by some spectators after she finished second in the women's 400-meter individual medley on the final day of the World Swimming Championships in Qatar on Sunday.
Gorbenko, 20, made the comments poolside shortly after the race amid jeers at the Aspire Dome in Doha.
“I am just so happy to be here and represent my country in this difficult time,” Gorbenko said amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. “Being here with the Israeli flag means a lot to me and my country, so this is the best thing I can do.”
Some participants in the swimming competition mocked Israeli swimmer Anastasia Gorbenko after her 400-meter race. AP
Gold medalist Freya Constance Colbert of Great Britain, right, comforts silver medalist Anastasia Gorbenko of Israel after she was booed by spectators at the end of the women's 400m individual medley final at the World Swimming Championships in Doha, Qatar. AP
Others in the crowd then drowned out the jeers with applause and cheers.
British swimmer Freya Colbert won the race in 4 minutes and 37.14 seconds. Gorbenko managed 4:37.36 and Italy's Sara Franceschi was third with 4:37.86.
All three attended their medal ceremony later on Sunday.
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