Israeli athletes withdraw from Northern Ireland race after organizers object

Four Israeli athletes will not participate in the City of Derry Triathlon in Northern Ireland after the organizing club objected to their inclusion. The North West Triathlon Club stated that its position was not based on the athletes' religion or ethnicity, but rather on Israel's representation in international sport amid the suffering of Palestinians. This decision has drawn criticism from Julie Middleton, a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, who described the exclusion as a negative reflection on the city.