Egyptian judo fighter Islam El Shehaby was loudly booed at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after his first-round loss to Israel’s fifth-ranked Or Sasson, when El Shehaby refused to shake Sasson’s hand, in a major breach of judo etiquette.

…There was no obligation to shake hands, but to bow is mandatory.

Egyptian judoka refuses to shake Israeli opponent’s hand

My first reaction is that this is bullshit. Unsportsmanlike behavior. Yada, yada.

…But. then there is this part,

El Shahaby had come under pressure from Islamist-leaning and nationalist voices in Egypt to withdraw entirely from the fight.

It is understandable he would be squeamish about appearing too friendly.

And this part,

The International Judo Federation said that the fact that the fight even took place between those two athletes was already a major sign of progress.

”This is already a big improvement that Arabic countries accept to (fight) Israel,” spokesman Nicolas Messner said in an email.

…Which is another good point. Progress is progress.
Sigh….