IOC in contact with Israeli NOC over Peter Paltchik. GETTY IMAGES

Israeli judoka Peter Paltchik won the Olympic bronze medal in the men's -100kg category, but the controversy over his comments continues to grow.

Paltchik became the first Israeli to win an Olympic medal at Paris 2024. He also carried the flag for his country at the opening ceremony.

He is known for his bold statements in support of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The Ukrainian-born athlete praised IDF soldiers in a pre-Olympic interview. He then appeared to kiss a military flag while celebrating his bronze medal in the audience. 

Paltchik also shared a photo of missiles with the word "ippon" on them on his social media with the caption "From me to you with pleasure" before the Olympics. The photo was later deleted.

LeMatin reports that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is in contact with the Israeli National Olympic Committee about the "sensitive issue", but refuses to comment on possible sanctions.

Paltchik celebrating his bronze medal with the fans. GETTY IMAGES
Paltchik celebrating his bronze medal with the fans. GETTY IMAGES

Asked about Paltchik's behaviour at the IOC daily briefing on 2 August, IOC communications director Mark Adams said they would continue to remind National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to follow the guidelines.

"We will wait and see what happens," Adams said when asked about the consequences. 

The president of the Israeli Olympic Committee, Yael Arad, herself a former judoka, told LeMatin that Paltchik's social media post was not against any country or people, but against a terrorist organisation, Hamas. She also denied that Paltchik had written "ippon" on the missiles that appeared in the photo. vice-champion in Barcelona in 1992. 

Paltchik carrying Israel's flag at the Opening Ceremony. GETTY IMAGES
Paltchik carrying Israel's flag at the Opening Ceremony. GETTY IMAGES

The IOC regularly stresses the need to prevent the politicisation and militarisation of sport. A number of Russian and Belarusian athletes have been denied neutral status because of social media posts defending their countries' armed forces.

"Today, you - the Olympic athletes - are the ambassadors of peace of our time," said IOC President Thomas Bach on 22 July during the "Give Peace a Chance" event. 

"I am an Olympic athlete and I always support peace, in all countries of the world. Sport should unite the world and this is especially the case with the Olympic Games. We must unite hearts regardless of religion or origin," those are the words of Paltchik after winning the bronze medal.