Israel swimmer Anastasia Gorbenko was booed by the crowd at the Doha World Championships after finishing runner-up in the women's 400-meter individual medley on Sunday.
Gorbenko's celebrations were spoiled as a chorus of boos rained down from the terraces, drowning out her post-race interview by the floor presenter.
The jeers continued as Gorbenko left the Aspire Dome pool, and she was booed again at the medal ceremony, though there was also applause. Briton Freya Constance Colbert won the race.
Israel’s Anastasia Gorbenko just got booed during her interview after getting 2nd in the Women’s 400 IM at the Swimming World Championships in Doha pic.twitter.com/3ajYuryn63
— Kyle Sockwell (@kylesockwell) February 18, 2024
The presence of Israeli swimmers at the championships has drawn criticism from some Doha media outlets and pro-Palestine groups amid Israel's military campaign in Gaza, in response to Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel.
Gorbenko: Happy to represent Israel during difficult times
Gorbenko smiled when she mounted the podium and sighed during the mix of boos and cheers from spectators. She later said it was not the first time she had been jeered at the event.
"I've been here a week. I heard all these noises, but I'm with earplugs. I'm in my zone. I'm here to do what I love to do, which is sports," she told reporters.
"I'm here to represent my country... And I'm doing this with the Israeli flag, and I'm proud of that. And whoever doesn't like it, it's just not my problem."