WATCH: Spanish Broadcaster Omits Israeli Hurdler's Introduction at European Athletics Championships

Spanish broadcaster RTVE faces criticism after allegedly skipping Israeli hurdler Omri Shiff’s introduction at the European Athletics Championships. The viral incident sparked outrage and accusations of discrimination, though RTVE has not provided an official reason for the omission.

Spanish national broadcaster RTVE has come under heavy scrutiny after its commentators appeared to have deliberately skipped the introduction of Israeli hurdler Omri Shiff during the European Athletics Championships 2026 in Birmingham.

Israeli hurdler Omri Shiff featured in the 400m men’s hurdles, where he failed to qualify for the final after being disqualified from his Round 1 heat for a lane infringement, ending his campaign at the ongoing European Athletics Championships. He was one of the 18 athletes from Israel to feature in Europe’s prestigious athletic competition.

Omri Shiff found himself at the centre of controversy not for his disqualification from the race due to lane infringement, but for the stark silence from commentators who skipped his introduction while naming every other competitor in the heat.

Spanish Broadcaster’s Skipping of Israeli Hurdler’s Name Goes Viral

As the 400m men’s hurdlers in heat 1 were taking their positions, the Spanish national broadcaster RTVE began to introduce the competitors lane by lane, calling out every runner's name and nationality. However, the commentators went completely silent after the camera panned on Israel’s Omri Shiff.

In a video that went viral on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter), the Spanish commentators were heard calling out every runner’s nationality until the camera moved to Lane 5, where Shiff was positioned, prompting a noticeable pause, and the discussion pivoted to a technical delay, noting that one of the athletes took a long time to get into his position.

Thereafter, the commentators resumed their lane-by-lane introductions as soon as the camera shifted to the next runner. Omri Shiff was apparently unaware of the fact that his name was omitted during the live broadcast, as he was completely focused on his race preparation and warm-up routine.

An Israeli athlete stepped onto the track. Spanish commentators chose not to say his name or his country.

During the European Athletics Championships, Omri Shiff was met with silence while the broadcast focused on everyone else.

At a time when antisemitism is rising around the… pic.twitter.com/J2tbTmAluy

— Israel in New York (@IsraelinNewYork) August 13, 2026

Spanish national broadcaster RTVE’s refusal to introduce Omri Shiff was likely to have stemmed from the ongoing controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in international competitions, especially amid heightened political tensions surrounding Israeli athletes at major sporting events.

However, no official reason or evidence has been provided by the Spanish national broadcaster, RTVE, for omitting Omri Shiff’s introduction ahead of the start of the race, leaving everyone who heard the live commentary.

Viral Clip Sparks Outrage Over RTVE’s Treatment of Israeli Athlete

Spanish broadcaster’s deliberate skipping of Israeli hurdler Omri Shiff’s introduction has sparked outrage and criticism on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with several users questioning the broadcaster’s decision and accusing it of unfairly singling out the Israeli athlete.

Taking to their X handles, the majority of netizens condemned the apparent omission, with some calling the incident ‘disgusting’ and others accusing RTVE of discrimination against the Israeli athlete, stating that the broadcaster’s actions were inappropriate and unacceptable, and questioning why Shiff was singled out during the athlete introductions.

However, some questioned Israel’s participation in the European Athletics Championships, given that the country is geographically located in Asia, especially West Asia, while others questioned whether Israeli athletes should be allowed to compete in European sporting events.

Im from Spain, this is disgusting!!

— DarkCulé💙❤️ (@ZePequeno2000) August 13, 2026

it's engrained in the culture of the israelite hating amaleks, and spain in particular has a long standing history to adhere to, now it's all coming face to light, the fact that it is in our life time where recordings and documentations are more so under scrutiniy only speaks…

— #SmotrichForIsrael (@losangeles2024a) August 13, 2026

Anti-semitism is embedded in the system in spain..why have they fallen so low?

— Keisha Jazz (@jazzyrampras) August 13, 2026

Spain always on the wrong side of history.
Good luck with your new neighbors from Morocco! https://t.co/YrkPhkHhNT

— Adir Angel (@AdirAngel10) August 13, 2026

Why are they in the European athletics if they’re native to Israel as the claim🤔 Though we know it’s only 75 years young

— Made in Jamaica 🇯🇲🇯🇲 (@onespaintown) August 13, 2026

Why doe Israel believe they're a part of Europe? 
According to their lohic Morrocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt are Europe too.

— joyce kelly 🇮🇪 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 (@JoyceBealtaine) August 13, 2026

What is Israel doing in the European Championships? Was a place promised to them in a work of fiction from 3000 years ago?
Why aren't their neighbours Lebanon and Palestine competing?
If we describe them as European we have to concede they are a land stealing colonialist project.

— 1961Blanchflower (@1961Coys) August 13, 2026

Best part is Israel isn’t even in Europe 🤣🤣 https://t.co/MpoVxz66jD

— aoife 🇮🇪🇵🇸 (@aoife_s29) August 13, 2026

Why are they even allowed to compete ???? https://t.co/dIbL3jk2RQ

— Nicolas Fallsmyth - (RIP Veronica dear friend🌹) (@NicolasFallsmy1) August 13, 2026

Disgusting and the “journalist” and their station should be banned from covering the event. https://t.co/4aSNgfFZhC

— ThingsAreGettingBrighter (@BrighterGetting) August 13, 2026

Existing while Israeli. Clearly too difficult for RTVE commentators to deal with. What’s extra disturbing about this display of institutional racism is that none of the other players show solidarity to their colleague who’s been wished out of existence. https://t.co/n2syNsgg3q

— MsNagdic ✡️ 🎗️ (@FiiAes) August 13, 2026

Though Israel is geographically located in West Asia, the country is a member of the European Athletics Association, which includes federations spanning Europe, Israel, and several transcontinental nations. Israel was excluded from the Asian sports federations in the 1970s amid political pressure and subsequently moved into European sporting frameworks.