The Olympics—a stage where the world’s best athletes showcase years of dedication, sweat, and unparalleled skill. Yet, as the 2024 games unfold, there’s a glaring hypocrisy festering within our own community.

The same voices that cheered for Mohamed El Sayed’s bronze medal in fencing are the ones savagely tearing down our other athletes for not bringing home medals.

Is this the kind of “support” we want to be known for?

The Triumph of Mohamed El Sayed

The nation erupted in pride as Mohamed El Sayed clinched a bronze medal in fencing. Social media flooded with praise, patriotic fervor soared, and suddenly everyone was an expert in fencing, claiming a piece of his victory. It’s moments like these that make us proud to be Egyptian, showing the world our spirit and strength.

But let’s hit pause for a moment. Why does our support seem so fickle?

The Unseen Efforts of Our Olympians

While we celebrated El Sayed’s triumph, many of our athletes faced relentless criticism for not making it past the qualifiers. The dedication it takes to even qualify for the Olympics is monumental.

These athletes have sacrificed time, endured pain, and displayed an unwavering commitment to compete at this level.

Yet, the online sphere is rife with belittlement and harsh judgments. Armchair critics, who likely have never faced such rigorous challenges, are quick to mock and undermine the efforts of our athletes.

It’s easy to sit behind a screen and hurl criticisms, but what does that say about us as a society?

Adding insult to injury, it was recently revealed that the Egyptian Olympic Committee sent a list to the media with the athletes they expected to lose.

Sports journalist Hani Hathout shared on his personal account on “X” a post calling out the Egyptian Olympic Committee for their discouraging expectations for Egyptian athletes.

“The Egyptian Olympic Committee’s media center sent out their expectations for today’s performances, including predictions such as ‘Expected loss for Abdel Rahman Tolba against Hungary’s champion in the Round of 32.’ Yet, the African champion in fencing won and advanced to the next round. Is it reasonable or even sportingly sound to publish such demoralizing predictions for our athletes? Is this how we protect our players from bullying in case of a loss? Best of luck to all Egyptian athletes in all sports, all support.”

– Hathout’s post on X.

Our athletes deserve better. They deserve consistent support and recognition, irrespective of the medals they bring home.

It’s high time we appreciate the journey and not just the destination. Remember, qualifying for the Olympics itself is a testament to their skill and dedication.

Before you pen your next snarky comment, ask yourself: What have you achieved that compares to reaching the Olympics? Criticizing from the sidelines doesn’t make you an expert—it makes you part of the problem.

Championing Respect and Appreciation

Let’s shift our perspective. Let’s be proud of all our athletes, whether they stand on the podium or not. Their efforts, their spirit, and their representation of Egypt on the global stage are achievements in their own right.

It’s easy to cheer for a winner, but it takes true character to support someone through their struggles. Let’s show our athletes the respect and appreciation they deserve. After all, they’re not just competing for medals—they’re competing for our nation’s pride.

Let’s be their champions, in victory and in defeat.