Egyptians Are Freaking Out Over the Athlete With the Saudi Flag at the Olympics Opening Ceremony

Egyptians have a tendency to wave their country’s flag in all national, and international occasions that involve Egypt – but when did Saudi Arabia become part of our celebrations? Olympic shooting athlete, Hamada Talaat, was spotted in the Parade of the Nations in Rio’s 2016 Olympics holding a green flag.

Most reactions on social media were of disappointment, anger, and more anger; sparking the hashtag #Bring_Back_Hamada, suggesting that parading around with a Saudi flag is disrespectful to Egypt’s representation in the Olympics, and Talaat should be disqualified. Here are some of the reactions:

On our Facebook page, it went something like this:

But on Twitter, it went a little something like this:

Some believe Talaat is just ignorant and not proud enough of his identity...

#رجعوا_حمادة فهو لا يعرف قيمة و حجم و مكانة وتاريخ وحضارة #مصر بسبب البعض الذين يحاولون طمس هويتها عبر التطرف او الجهل عبر الشاشات

— RT Ahmed Alashkar (@ALASHKAR_RT) August 6, 2016

It was not an option, maybe...

هل رفع علم السعودية حدث بتعليمات عليا من السيد الرخيص؟ #رجعوا_حماده

— AlyaaGad AfhamTVأفهم (@AlyaaGad) August 6, 2016

Okay, guys, you're not behaving – we're all going home now. No more Olympics for you...

#رجعوا_حمادة ومش لوحده هو ومسئول البعثه المهزأ

— ✨ Rere Lele ♥ (@rerelele2013) August 6, 2016

Some believed it was the shahaada in the flag that prompted his actions...

#رجعوا_حماده
والمصريين ليش زعلانين،الرجل شاف لفظ الجلاله وعلم دوله شقيقه على الأرض ورفعه، هذاموقف مٌشرف ويشكر عليه ! pic.twitter.com/ubaZZOjA95

— بوهيمي (@communist_7) August 6, 2016

And finally, conspiracy theories are essential in any Egyptian event...

#رجعوا_حماده اللي عمل الهشتاج ده اخواني رمه طبعاااا واحنا كمصريين في منتهي السعاده بتصرف حماده المشرف لان مصر والسعوديه واحد برافوا حماده👏🏼

— عنتيل النشطاء (@popelkeber) August 6, 2016

We got nothing personal against the Saudis, and we’re just not sure what Talaat’s intention is – perhaps this is Talaat’s way of supporting el-Sisi’s recent agreements and relations with Saudi Arabia?

Photo by El Watan News.