Beyond the Podium: Jewish Identity, Antisemitism and the Olympic Games 

Every two years, we watch athletes compete on the world stage—and what captivates us isn't just the competition. It's the stories: the struggles, the triumphs, the personal journeys that help us see ourselves and others more clearly. The Olympics offer us a unique opportunity to explore something deeper: the complexities of identity—individual and national. 

When we bring these conversations into our classrooms, we're teaching students to see the human stories behind the headlines and historical events—a skill that transfers to understanding all forms of identity and difference.  

As the world prepares for the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina, we have a timely opportunity to explore Jewish athletes' participation in the Olympics. Jewish athletes have competed both in the diaspora and under the Israeli flag, and their participation has been marked by moments that celebrate Jewish identity and resilience, as well as moments of violence and profound antisemitism. Explore the resources for ideas and information for how to include Jewish identity and experience in conversations about the Games. Such representation matters for Jewish students’ sense of belonging and for non-Jewish students’ understanding of diversity and presents an opportunity to counter antisemitic stereotypes.