Palestine Olympic Committee

The Palestine Olympic Committee (Arabic: اللجنة الأولمبية الفلسطينية, romanized: al-Lajna l-Ūlimbiyya l-Filasṭīniyya; IOC Code: PLE) is the National Olympic Committee of the State of Palestine. It helps organize and support Palestinian athletes for the Olympic Games and other international sports events.

The State of Palestine has been a member of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) since 1986. This lets Palestinian athletes join Asian Olympic events.

In 1993, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized the Palestine Olympic Committee. This allowed Palestinian athletes to compete under their own flag in the Olympic Games, showing their pride and representing their nation worldwide.

History

In 1933, a group called the Palestine National Olympic Committee was created and was recognized by the International Olympic Committee the next year. This group mainly represented Jewish, Christian, and Muslim people living in Mandatory Palestine.

Later, in 1969, the Palestine Olympic Committee was founded. It became a member of the Olympic Council of Asia in 1986, allowing it to take part in Asian sports events. The committee first sent an athlete to the Olympic Games in 1996. Over the years, many people have helped lead the committee, working to support sports for people in Palestine.