Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Photo of Israeli athletes in “Bring Them Home Now” formation at the Paris Olympics.
Fact
Photograph dates back to November, 2023, unrelated to the Olympic Games.
Several social media users, including verified handles, shared a photograph claiming to show the Israeli athletes spelling out the phrase “Bring Them Home Now!” in a pool through synchronised formation. Those sharing the image claimed that the Israeli team made the formation at the ongoing Paris Olympics demanding the release of hostages. 251 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage by Hamas during 7 October attacks, as per Israel.
The image is being widely shared on X and Facebook with users linking it to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Newschecker, however, found that the photograph was not from the Olympic Games.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Satire Article On Samsung Withdrawing $1Bn Sponsorship From ‘Woke’ Paris Olympics Shared As Real
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the viral image led us to an Instagram post by Adam Spiegel, a “fine art aerial photographer,” from November 2023. The post carried the same photograph with the caption “home, now!”
The photograph was also shared on the Instagram account of the Israel Artistic Swimming Team on November 19, 2023. “The Israeli artistic swimming team was photographed this weekend at the National Pool at Wingate Institute for a special photo in honour of the repatriation of the hostages to Israel. Ten female athletes participated in the photographs taken from a drone and underwater (translated from Hebrew via Google),” stated the caption.
Also Read: Old, Unrelated Videos Shared As Protests In Paris Over ‘Satanic’ Olympics Opening Ceremony
Featuring the viral photograph, an Israel Hayom report from November, 2023, detailed that through the gesture athletes wanted to convey, “Like the entire country, we too are waiting and hoping that all the abductees will return home soon. We decided to photograph this gesture in the hope of raising awareness of the crimes against humanity committed against Israelis and against citizens from many countries” (translated from Hebrew via Google).”
It was also shared on the official Instagram account of the Israel Swimming Association in November 2023.
Conclusion
Hence, a photograph from November, 2023 has been shared to falsely show the Israeli athletes’ gesture demanding the release of hostages during the Paris Olympics.
Result: False
Sources
Instagram Post By @im.adamico, Dated November 19, 2023
Instagram Post By @israelsynchroteam, Dated November 19, 2023
Report By Israel Hayom, Dated November 19, 2023
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
