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 who want to compete in the Olympic Games and other international sports events.

The State of Palestine has been recognized as a member of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) since 1986. This means that Palestinian athletes can take part in Asian Olympic events.

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

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. Sadly, some leaders have faced difficult times, and the committee’s office in Gaza was destroyed by bombing in January 2024.