Was the Israeli flag really ‘tied back’ at the Reuveny gold medal ceremony?

Why was the Israeli flag so limp when it was hoisted to mark the gold medal won by Israeli sailor Tom Reuveny on Saturday? 

The sight of the Magen David looking “tied back” alongside the Dutch and Australian flags, which were open and fluttering in the breeze, triggered a wave of comments on social media – some tongue-in-cheek, some bordering on conspiracy theories.

While there was no evidence that the Israeli flag had been tampered with in any way, American rabbi-to-the stars Shmuley Boteach asked his followers if they thought it was “done on purpose”.

Others watching the ceremony also shared their theories about what happened.

One wondered if the failure to display the flag properly was a retaliation from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“Maybe tying the flag is the reaction of the Iranians and we can go back to sleep in peace?” they wrote.

Another Israeli wrote on Twitter/X: "Is it just me, or did those antisemites somehow tie our flag up so billions of global viewers won't see it wave?!"

Another user posted a video from the 2024 Eurovision with a man wearing a blindfold, with the caption: "The guy in charge of the flag hoisting:"

While another said whoever raised the flag was not very good at their job.