Khaberni - In a rare step in the world of professional sports, Canadian cyclist Derek G decided to terminate his contract with "Israel Premier Tech" despite being tied to a contract until 2028. Today, he finds himself faced with an enormous financial demand exceeding 30 million euros, simply because he refused to continue racing due to what he described as "a moral burden and serious personal concerns."
The 28-year-old athlete, who was prominent in the "Giro d'Italia" by finishing fourth this year, wrote in a touching post on his Instagram account explaining the motives behind his decision, saying: "I terminated my contract for a good reason. The decision wasn't easy, but it came after an irreparable relationship with the team manager, and serious concerns regarding safety and personal belief that weighed heavily on me."
G added that money was not the reason for the dispute, but rather values and human conscience, wondering: "How can money become the headline when issues involve humanity? I simply couldn't continue with the team under these circumstances."
The cyclist now faces what I understand to be demands for compensation to the team which are said to exceed about 30 million euros just because I did nothing but exercise my basic rights as a professional and an individual."
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 8, 2023, resulting in 67,211 deaths, and 169,961 injuries, most of them children and women, and a famine that claimed the lives of 460 Palestinians including 154 children.
Between Sports and Humanitarian Stance
Derek G's decision came at a sensitive time when the Israeli team faced repeated protests due to the aggression over two years on Gaza Strip, where the club had to withdraw from several European races due to security concerns, and sport organizations revoked their invitation to prestigious races like "Giro dell'Emilia" and "Tre Valli Varesine".
Facing this increasing pressure, the team recently announced its intention to remove the word "Israel" from its name starting from the 2026 season, in a step considered an attempt to lessen the global popular rejection escalating against it.
However, for G, the superficial change was not enough: "I left because I could no longer be a part of something that does not align with my conscience or humanity," the athlete wrote at the end of his statement.
A Sports Voice Against Silence
Derek G's step did not go unnoticed, as it received widespread interaction on sports platforms, and many considered it a rare example of an athlete putting conscience before contracts and money. While most athletes remained silent about the war on Gaza, G chose to speak through action, not just words.
One European sports commentator says: "In a world where stardom is measured by profits and sponsorships, what Derek G did reminds us that sports should remain a space for human dignity, not just a race towards awards."
Sports When They Meet Conscience
The story of the Canadian cyclist sheds light on the ethical dimension in modern sports, in an era where commercial and political pressures are increasing. While his team's management demands fantastical compensations, Derek G faces his future with a simple principle: To be human first, and an athlete second.
