Olympics Aftermath: Diplomatic storm breaks out over Zubari Chinese comments

The bronze medalist had been asked to describe the Chinese in one word, whereby he called them "sh*ts".

By JEREMY LAST
Shahar Zubari medal 224.88 (photo credit: Channel 1)
Shahar Zubari medal 224.88
(photo credit: Channel 1)
The Chinese embassy in Tel Aviv has cancelled Wednesday's celebratory reception for the Israeli Olympic delegation in protest against comments made by Israel's only medalist at the Beijing Games this summer where he described the Chinese people as "sh*ts". In an interview with Yediot Aharonoth, windsurfer Shahar Zubari launched into a unprovoked verbal attack on the Chinese, saying he didn't feel very comfortable during the month and a half he spent in China and he was happy to leave the Asian country knowing he wouldn't have to see any more Chinese people. The bronze medalist had been asked to describe the Chinese in one word, whereby he called them "sh*ts". "They are difficult," he said. "They don't speak the language, their rituals are strange and even their pronunciation is weird." Explaining how thankful he was that a friend of his had brought hummus to China for him, Zubari added, "I don't like [Chinese] food, I don't eat pig. Give me home cooked food, especially hummus. I can live off hummus." The interview was published in a supplement of the newspaper's Friday edition, but the Chinese embassy only reacted when the comments were brought to their attention a few days later. Although Olympic Committee of Israel chairman Ephraim Zinger told the embassy that Zubari would make a public apology, the OCI appeared to be unable to prevent the issue from causing a minor diplomatic storm and the embassy cancelled the planned reception. The news was announced by the OCI, which stated in a press release that the reception was cancelled due to "comments made by Israel's medalist to a newspaper". Israeli Sports Minister Ghaleb Majadle said Tuesday that he has written to the Chinese Embassy to apologize. He also said he intends to speak to Zubari about his remarks and tell him that it is not acceptable to talk this way about people who have given him such kind hospitality. Despite his elevated status as one of only seven Israeli Olympic medal-winners, Zubari has continued to be open to the press and is always willing to give interviews. In an interview with The Jerusalem Post this week, he noted his openness and availability to the media, saying, "I know how important it is to be open with the press and I regard this as an integral part of being a successful athlete." The full interview with the bronze-medalist will be published in Friday's edition of the Post. Greer Fay Cashman and Allon Sinai contributed to this report.