An Iranian swimmer refused to compete in a heat against an Israeli at the Beijing Olympics - or perhaps he was just feeling off-colour?

Mohammad Alirezaei pulled out of the 100-metre breast stroke race, which was also due to be contested by Israel's Tom Beeri. However, it was all a coincidence , according to an Iranian press report, which claimed Alirezaei had not been feeling well.

A nasty case of Zionitis, perhaps.