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Home , 2019 World Cup (snooker), Alexander Shatilov, Alex Katz (baseball), Alina Harnasko, Andrea Murez, Andre Spitzer

hereTok we yocome! Special Supplement

ISRAEL'S DELEGATION TO (updated as of July 11, 2020 and listed alphabetically by sport) 89 competitors (54 men and 35 women) in 15 sports Archery Itay Shanny – Men’s Individual Artistic Men’s All-Around Artistic Swimming Eden Blecher and Shelly Bobritsky – Duet Women’s All-Around Athletics Lihie Raz • Men’s Rhythmic Haimro Alame Women’s Individual Girmaw Amare Feed the Marhu Teferi Nicol Zelikman • Women’s 100m National Team Diana Vaisman Yuliana Telegin Light: Let the • Women’s 3000m steeplechase Yana Kramarenko Adva Cohen Ofir Dayan • Women’s 5,000m and 10,000m Natalie Raits Olympic spirit Selamawit Dagnachew Karin Vexman Lonah Chemtai Salpeter • Women’s Marathon Maor Tiyouri move you Men • Women’s Triple Jump Baruch Shmailov -66 kg Flag bearer Hanna Knyazyeva-Minenko xcitement is building for the Olympics, which Tohar Butbul -73 kg -81 kg are set to begin in Tokyo on July 23. Badminton It's fun to root for our homegrown Misha Zilberman – Men’s Singles Li Kochman -90 kg Ksenia Polikarpova – Women’s Singles -100 kg athletes. We have our country, our heritage in Ori Sasson +100 kg common; it's only natural to cheer them on. Women No fans from foreign soil will be allowed at National Team Shira Rishony -48 kg Ethe Tokyo Games, a measure necessitated by the continuing -52 kg threat of the coronavirus. Timna Nelson-Levy -57 Jonathan de Marte Gili Sharir -63 kg That's OK. In fact, in some ways, it might be a good thing. Inbar Lanir -78 kg Sometimes, in our patriotic fervor, we forget to simply +78 kg appreciate the beauty and excellence of the competitions Jared Lakind and the achievements of the athletes. Alon Leichman Shlomo Lipetz Yoav Cohen – Men’s RS:X The Tokyo Games, therefore, are a unique opportunity Jon Moscot Katy Spychakov – Women’s RS:X to bring the world together, to increase our Shay Kakon – Women’s Laser Radial understanding of folks who live in countries spread across Ben Wanger Noya Baram and Shahar Tibi – Women’s 470 the globe. Zack Weiss You might even find yourself rooting at some points Shooting for athletes from other countries. After all, only a small Sergey Richter – Men’s 10m Air Rifle Tal Erel percentage of the 11,091 who are expected to compete in Surfing 33 sports at the Summer Games will represent your country Anat Lelior – Women’s Shortboard of origin, residence and/or citizenship. Infielders Through media covering the Games, we'll learn of Swimming the extraordinary lives led by these athletes. Many have Mitch Glasser Men Meiron Cheruti – 50m freestyle overcome stubborn obstacles to excel and reach the highest Ian Kinsler Michael Laitarovsky – 100m backstroke level of sports. Zach Penprase Flag bearer Yakov Toumarkin – 100m backstroke When we hear their stories, it always reminds us that Danny Tomer Frankel – 100m butterfly we have so much in common and that good triumphs in Gal Cohen Groumi – 100m butterfly and every corner of the world. 200m individual medley Assaf Lowengart Salute those triumphs, on the field of play and off of it, Ron Polonsky – 200m individual medley Robb Paller Denis Loktev – 200m freestyle as you hunker down in the front of your screen of choice Manager to watch the Games or highlights. Eric Holtz Matan Roditi – 10 km open water Daniel Namir – 4×200 m freestyle relay When you recognize that greatness and perseverance Cycling Women isn't limited by national boundaries, you are truly helping Omer Shapira – Women’s Road Race and Andrea Murez – 100m freestyle feed the light for a better world. • Time Trial Anastasia Gorbenko – 100m backstroke, 100m (Herald Bulletin/TNS) Shlomi Haimy – Men’s Cross-Country breaststroke and 200m individual medley Mountain Biking Aviv Barzelay – 200m backstroke Mixed Photo credits: Olympic Committee of Israel (pages Equestrian Itay Goldfaden – 4×100m medley relay 4-5, 30, Herbalife (18-21), Israel Baseball Association Individual and Team (22-25), ISN (30-31), (Cover, 8, 10, 12, 16- Taekwondo Ashlee Bond (riding Donatello) 17, 26-27, 33, 35-38, 40--41, 43-47) and Courtesy. Alberto Michán (riding Cosa Nostra) Avishag Semberg – Women’s -49kg Teddy Vlock (riding ) All advertising in this publication is the responsibility of the respective advertisers Danielle "Dani G" Waldman (riding Triathlon themselves and all the articles and pictures are the responsibility of the writers Queensland) Ran Sagiv and editors of the publication. The Olympic Committee of Israel bears no liability Israel National Team – team competition Shachar Sagiv or responsibility for the content herein.

Editor Uriel Sturm | Commercial Rina Galmor | Designer Noa Zolty

3 A presidential

By GREER FAY CASHMAN hat a joy to meet Isaac Herzog on July 7, there was no other time people who are for the meeting while he was still president. not politicians,” Beneath the pergola leading into the main exclaimed a radiant hall were numerous enlarged photographs President Reuven of individual athletes and groups of athletes Rivlin, as he looked engaged in different sports, mounted on tall Wout at the overflowing crowd of athletes in stands. It was almost like an open-air Sports the main hall of the President’s Residence. Hall of Fame. Then he remembered that there was one Among the dignitaries who came to the politician in the room – Culture and Sport President’s Residence were Ilana Romano and Minister Chili Tropper. Anki Spitzer, the widows of As Rivlin was handing over the reins to and , members of the Israel

4 Olympic team who were murdered by All the speakers praised the athletes for experienced by every competitive athlete, Black September terrorists in the their dedication, their constant aspiration Rivlin had particularly warm words for the Massacre at the 1972 Olympics; and to do better and their ability to train and Paralympic athletes, for whom competition Japanese Ambassador Koichi Mizushima, improve during the worst period of the is more difficult, he said, because they are who has been hop-scotching from one pandemic. also challenged by their particular disability. Olympics-related event to another. “You worked so hard to get to this point,” Some of the members of the Olympic Also present were Igal Carmi, chairman said Rivlin, who conceded that his favorite team are competing for the second, third of the Israel Olympic Committee, and sport is a ball game – “not tennis” he and fourth times. Yehoshua Dekel, national president of the clarified. But there are also sports in which Israel National Paralympic Committee. Then, resorting to the vernacular, he said: has not competed before, such as archery. Carmi said that this year’s delegation “The ball is in your court”. Itay Shanny, 22, will be making history as will be the largest ever to represent Israel, He reminded the members of the teams the first archer competing for Israel since and although it had not yet reached 90 that they had been chosen because they it began participating in the Olympics athletes, he was optimistic this figure would are the best of the best, “the very few who in Helsinki in 1952, at which time the be attained. have managed to get so high, to be the delegation included 22 male athletes and The will be held two emissaries of our country at the greatest, three female, who participated in a total of weeks after the start of the Olympics, and oldest and most important of international five different sports. There’s been a lot of Dekel was confident that several of the 28 sporting competitions” which began in progress since then, not only in terms of athletes in the delegation would come home ancient Greece. overall numbers, but also in gender ratios with medals. Aware of the strain and tension and in the variety of sports. •

5 Fast facts as Israel gears up for Tokyo

By ABIGAIL KLEIN LEICHMAN

srael brought home two bronze 1952 and the Rio Games in 2016, except the medals – both in judo – from the 1980 Games. 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Israel began participating in the Winter Will more Israeli athletes ascend Olympics in 1994. the winners’ podium this summer in Tokyo? The medals we’ve won That’s the big question as Israel prepares to 2. Israel has won nine Summer Olympics send its largest-ever Olympic delegation of medals: (silver, judo, 1992), Oren 89 athletes to the 2020 Summer Olympics. Smadja (bronze, judo, 1992); Here are some fun facts about Israel’s (bronze, sailing, 1996); participation in the world’s ultimate sports (bronze, canoeing, 2000); Ariel Ze’evi (bronze, festival: judo, 2004), Gal Fridman (gold, sailing, 2004); Shahar Zubari (bronze, sailing, 2008), Yarden Collector’s item This is Israel’s Gerbi (bronze, judo, 2016) and Ori Sasson Three postage stamps were issued by 17th Summer Olympics 5. 1. (bronze, judo, 2016). the Israel Stamp Service in celebration of Israel has participated in every Summer the Tokyo Olympics. Designed by Baruch New sports Olympics between the Helsinki Games in Na’a, each stamp features one Olympic sport: 3. This year, Israeli Olympians will swimming, horseback riding and gymnastics. compete for the first time in baseball, archery, The athletes are drawn in between two blue surfing and equestrian. wavy lines to symbolize the national flag.

A family affair Star of David inspiration 4. The delegation includes a married 6. Israel’s official uniform for the opening couple. Maru Teferi and Selamawit and closing ceremonies – T-shirts, chino Dagnachew Teferi are Olympic runners shorts and pants and a transparent nylon originally from . jacket – is inspired by the Star of David. As In addition, we have siblings: Brothers in the past six Olympics, the uniforms were Shachar (27) and Ran Sagiv (24) will be designed and manufactured by Israeli competing for Team Israel as triathlon house . • athletes. (Israel21c)

he Harel Insurance and Finance The Olympic Committee is a body that Group is the largest insurance conforms to the values ​​of the Harel Group, and finance group in Israel and which sets an example of the values ​​of the a leader in the field of health personal commitment to excellence by the insurance. delegation’s athletes who are representing the As a leading group in the State of Israel at the , similar TIsraeli economy, we have over 80 years of to excellence in business. accumulated experience and knowledge and As part of Harel’s support for sports and a and supporting non-profit organizations close ties with institutions in Israel and abroad, healthy lifestyle, we work in a variety of areas, from various fields, and also encourages for the benefit of our more than 3 million such as: integrating athletes in community- its employees to be involved and actively clients. contribution projects, encouraging excellence contribute to the community. We see a healthy lifestyle as an important and a healthy lifestyle, organizing health The spirit of our contribution and work goal, placing great emphasis on encouraging days for the benefit of employees and the also has results in the field: in 2020, Harel a healthy and good lifestyle. We at Harel general public and collaborating with various was ranked for the sixth year in a row in the also consider it of paramount importance to organizations such as United Hatzalah, which “Platinum Plus” ranking, the highest ranking support Israeli sports and in particular our work to progress the field. by the Ma’aleh organization, which ranks representatives for the Olympic Games and are Harel sees paramount importance in dozens of companies in terms of corporate proud to take part in this activity as sponsors everything related to corporate responsibility responsibility. Also, in 2019, Harel published of the Olympic Committee and as the official and has etched in stone the issue of social the group’s fourth corporate responsibility insurer of the Israeli Olympic delegations. commitment, and it is involved, contributing report, for the years 2017-2015. •

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Blue-and-white judoka Sagi Muki represents one of the country’s top medal chances in Tokyo and is a perfect ambassador off the mat as well

By JOSHUA HALICKMAN

A World and the Israeli people’s

’m a fighter, a battler and won a silver medal at the Grand Slam Judo and soccer ended up being the two sports one that never gives up. I’m this past February. that Muki focused on as the years went b. strong willed and stubborn.” Mollaei and Muki have not only become close “Judo was an individual sport while I loved This is how Sagi Muki friends as they now look to build bridges, but they playing soccer together with my friends.” described himself as he sat will even have their journey depicted by MGM Eventually, judo would win out as he decided down in a private room at in a series that will captivate their life stories. that his talents were going to take him furthest the luxurious West Lagoon Resort in , “It’s my honor and privilege to be part of this on the mat. just overlooking the Mediterranean Ocean. extraordinary project with my dear friend Saeid,” “When you’re alone you have to work on Muki, the reigning Judo World Champion in Muki said. “We want to forward the message yourself. The challenges are the same as with the -81kg weight class represents one of Israel’s that sport is above politics and we are all one team sports as you want to succeed and do the best Olympic medal hopes this decade as he family. When Saeid and I meet in the final, the best that you can, but it’s different when you are readies for the delayed 2020 Games in Tokyo, first winner is already set: our friendship! I truly all alone on the mat trying to reach your dreams.” . believe with the help of this project the second However, Muki was never really alone and “It’s amazing feeling to be a champion and to winner will be the understanding between our from a very young age Muki was coached and win the first men’s gold medal in Judo for Israel; p e op l e .” influenced by 1992 Olympic bronze medalist it’s historical. It’s been hard for me to say that I am Did Muki ever think that one day he would be Oren Smadga, the second Israeli to win a medal at the World Champion, but it was the culmination in the situation he is now? A World Champion the Olympic Games in judo, following Yael Arad. of a huge dream for me. I am happy that I was and one who could bridge Israel and ? How “Oren has been an inspiration for me for many, able to reach this accomplishment and the feeling did Muki ever arrive at this opportunity? To find many years. He’s my friend and coach and our couldn’t be better.” out what makes him tick one has to delve into special connection is what makes us successful The Netanya native has been front and center his childhood and beyond. team. I have a lot of appreciation for him and since he captured the World Championship in “My parents are originally from Netanya and I trust him. When I was competing in front of Tokyo the site of this year’s Olympics in an event my grandparents knew each other from Yemen 20,000 people in I could barely here him that resulted in his top rival, Iranian Saied Mollaei before making and moving to Israel,” Muki yell out instructions. But all I had to do was to losing on purpose as to not have to meet the began. “I had a good childhood and I had a lot of look into his eye and I knew exactly what he Sabra in the Finals or even stand on the podium energy. I played many sports when I was growing wanted to convey.” with him. up including , soccer, tennis and judo.” “People have to remember and understand How times have changed in less than two “I loved the great Ronaldinho; how he controlled that Oren was a trailblazer and accomplished years. Since then, Mollaei was able to defect the ball, how much love he played the game with something that no one ever believed could from his country of birth, obtained Mongolian along with the ease of how he could perform at happen. Both Yael and Oren were able to citizenship and competed in Israel where he the highest of levels.” break a mental block by winning medals at the

8

Olympics and became the first Israelis to do so.” Up next were the 2016 Olympic college campuses across the US. Positively Of course, having a great coach is crucial, but Games, where Muki finished in fifth place due Israel speakers promote an appreciation for the also having parents that understood the trials and to an injury. innovations Israel contributes to the world. By tribulations of a budding athlete is also critical My goal going into the Rio Games was to featuring decisive facts about this small desert in reaching the highest of height. stand on the podium. But two months before nation, the speakers paint a picture vastly “My parents were always supportive and as a the Olympics I slipped a couple discs and from different from the image of Israel in the media. youngster the focus was always on me as I was an both a physical and mental state I was unable In partnership with Media Watch International, athlete. But I must credit my brother who is now to be at the top of my game. However, I still JNF has coordinated campus speaking tours 24 years old and works for Johnson & Johnson; had my belief and that was the biggest thing for with Sagi and his fellow Judo team members, he was never jealous of me said always had the me. I was able to go very far in the competition, Olympic medal recipient Ori Sasson and Peter right words for me. We grew up together, but he further than others. Palchik. In addition, , Titi Aynaw, a found judo to be boring and just didn’t connect “I’m always asked if I could have made it all the friend of Muki’s and former resident of Netanya, with the sport which taught me that one should way if I wasn’t injured, but hindsight is 20/20. I has appeared on 75 campuses thus far. focus and concentrate on what they love.” do know that following the Olympics I continued “Sagi Muki is not only an outstanding athlete, Part of becoming a world class judoka includes to strengthen myself and I won Gold Medals in but also an example of how to stand up to adversity representing Israel at a young age and working subsequent events. There was no way that I was and bias in the sports arena, a place where politics one’s way up through the system. However, there just going to give up.” should be left at the door but sadly still casts a is a stigma that blue-and-white athletes have very As Israel heads into a golden age of judo with dark shadow at times,” said Jewish National Fund little chance to win and this was what Muki faced so many top competitors there is a lot of hope CEO Russell F. Robinson. “Together with Jewish as well from a fellow competitor. that a number of medals will be won in Tokyo. “ National Fund, Sagi has shared his experiences “When I was in high school, I was a part of the Peter Paltchik, Ori Sasson and Tohar Butbol and our Positively Israel messaging on college Israel National Team. One of the kids heard I was are all my contemporaries and I’ve known Peter campuses across the US, reaching thousands of going to the European Championships and he for years. I’m asked a lot as to why we are so good students, setting an example of how you can be said there is no way I’m going to win as Israelis in judo. It’s because we have created a tradition a proud Jew, overcome hatred, and even become never win these types of competitions.” and we have a roadmap that is set. We have won a World Champion.” “It’s true, I didn’t win and I finished in ninth a number of Olympic medals in this discipline Sharon Tzur, Executive Director of Media place, but I forged on and on and on. I finished and have sent many judokas to compete at this Watch International and co-sponsor of Muki’s my Bagruoit in high school and I didn’t have level, so we have who to fall back on. college campus tour says that “Sagi is a charming much free time because I was always training or “When I was 15 years old, we didn’t have and articulate young man who has become a studying for a test. My friends understood what enough people to train with, so boys and girls role model in emphasizing how Israel makes the I was trying to accomplish I found out what was were mixed and we trained and competed world a better place on college campuses. He’s required of me to reach the top.” together. Today there are hundreds of children a great brand for Israel and resonates positively As Muki continued to climb the ladder and youngsters who are training in judo and worldwide.” of success by winning and placing in many we need that to continue. In five or 10 years Although Muki is almost always competing tournaments at the start of the decade, he also we will have judokas in all category across the around the globe, he spends some of his free found out that he was becoming a public figure board. I’m happy that I have had a little part in time volunteering with Kav Lachayim, which is which was certainly challenging, but a challenge the development of the sport in our country.” an organization that works with children who that he has embraced along the way. Muki shed some light on how one can be suffer from severe and complex disabilities. “At the beginning it was difficult as I enjoyed the best of the best as he continues to compete. “It’s amazing to be able to impact those with having my privacy. But when I won the Gold “In order for a sportsman to be at the top level, various challenges such as Down Syndrome. To Medal at the 2015 and then a one has to have passion, be in the right mental be able to see the smiles on their faces, there’s Bronze in Abu Dhabi later in the year, I began state, desire, quality and personality. You must nothing better than this. I question myself as to understand how my role was evolving and I have all of those qualities in order to be at the to what my role is in the world, why am I here? embraced the support and love. top and it all starts at the top of your body with It is to give something back and this is just one “In fact, my father who is observant turned your head and being in the correct mental state. way that I do so.” off the before one of my bouts on a I have been in five finals and have won four gold As the Tokyo Games approach, Muki has one Friday evening and went to synagogue for services. medals and one silver. When you win one after goal in mind. While he was there someone came in and gave another sometimes your hunger and passion “I want to win the Gold Medal at the Olympics him the thumbs up that I won. So many people goes down a bit and your mental state plays a and be an ambassador of peace that can have a were beginning to watch my every move. big part in making sure you go for it all.” positive influence on people around the world.” “My father used to take me back and forth to “Every time I am faced with a new challenge, “I dream of facing Saied Mollaei and it doesn’t practice twice a day which took close to two hours I look back and remember how hard I trained matter who wins. I want to shake his hand give and he was always there along with my mother to before the World Championships knowing that him a hug. This way we will not only show honor help me reached my dream. He’s my role model I have to give it my all. If you don’t have that for each other but together we can show that as to how to be as a person. He always shows the hunger and it’s not there, competing is just not sport is above everything else. I want to see our utmost modesty and when I won a medal here in the same.” flags raised side by side, hug him and show the Israel, he told me not to show off my medal because An area of interest for Muki is the Jewish entire world that this is a win for sports over other Israelis didn’t win. He is my guiding light.” National Fund (JNF) Positively Israel program on politics.” •

10

Judo

“As an Olympic athlete and as part of the healthy lifestyle I am committed to, I have chosen to use Swiss System’s Smart Bed Sleep Monitoring System”

Alex Shatilov European ’ Exercise Champion and Member of the Olympic Delegation to Tokyo

SwiSS SyStem n addition to Sagi Muki, Israel has a number of Judokas Li Kochman who have all had success at tournaments throughout that will be competing in the Tokyo Games who will have a the world over the past few years and will look to also ascend the ChoSen aS the offiCial legitimate chance to capture a medal and perhaps even take podium in Tokyo. SponSor of the iSraeli the top spot on the podium. Timna Nelson-Levy will lead the women’s Judokas after having On the men’s side Ori Sasson who won a bronze medal won a gold medal at the Tel Aviv Grand Slam earlier in the year. olympiC Delegation for at the Rio de Janeiro Games will be trying to get back on The 26-year old, who will be making her Olympic debut in Japan track in the +100KG category after struggling since the onset of will compete in the -57KG category. Nelson-Levy is the daughter of the tokyo gameS the pandemic. The born Sasson took the Gold Medal at Americans who immigrated to the Holy Land back in the mid-1980’s the 2020 Tel Aviv Grand Prix but has had trouble returning to form where they settled in the Kiryat HaYovel neighborhood of Jerusalem “In light of the significant connection between Olympic over the past year. However, the 30-year old is aware that these may and has devoted herself to the sport and country she loves. athletes’ performances and the quality of their sleep, the Israeli Olympic Committee chose to use a sleep be his last games and will be sure to put on the best performance Shira Rishony and Gili Cohen will also be competing and have monitoring system that allows a team of professionals possible to go out with a bang. won medals at various tournaments this past year. Both are 30-years to receive daily data in order to bring about continuous One Israeli Judoka who hasn’t been slowed down by COBID-19 old and will each be making their second Olympic appearances in improvement in sleep quality.” is Peter Paltchik who is considered to have an excellent chance of the -48KG and -52KG categories respectively. winning a medal and will compete in the -100KG category. Paltchik Gili Sharir, Inbal Lanir and Raz Hershko will all be making their Dr. Yoni Yarom Member of the Medical Staff on the Israeli Olympic Delegation to Tokyo who was born in the , immigrated to Israel with his family at Olympic debuts having had much success at the youth levels of the Now in All Branches the age of 9 months old and settled in Rishon Le’Zion. The 29-year sport. Although for the trio this will be a learning experience, Hershko BeDS for old has been taking one medal after the next over the past couple of will come into the Games after having captured a gold medal this www.swisssystem.co.il | 1-800-70-70-80 years, capturing three gold medals in 2020 while winning a silver year at the Antalya Grand Slam. the SmArt Set! Only NIS 23,200 and bronze just ahead of the Olympics. The Tokyo Olympics will also host the first Judo team event in Come see the next smart thing Pay in installments through a Other men’s hopefuls include Tohar Butbul, Baruch Smailov and which Israel’s men’s and women’s teams will participate. • in the world of sleeping standing bank order or credit card Bnei Brak, Design Center, 3rd. Fl. 2 Lehi St. | | (Nesher) | Jerusalem | Talpiot Bilu Branch | Netanya | , Price refers to the dual Smart sleep system, which includes a pair of smart adjustable Design Plus Center (Formerly 7th Boulevard) | Rishon Lezion Ergoslim surfaces + a pair of C-Class mattresses + a 160/200 designed headboard 12 | Factory and Logistics Center | Design City Mishor Adumim “As an Olympic athlete and as part of the healthy lifestyle I am committed to, I have chosen to use Swiss System’s Smart Bed Sleep Monitoring System”

Alex Shatilov European Artistic Gymnastics’ Floor Exercise Champion and Member of the Olympic Delegation to Tokyo

SwiSS SyStem ChoSen aS the offiCial SponSor of the iSraeli olympiC Delegation for the tokyo gameS

“In light of the significant connection between Olympic athletes’ performances and the quality of their sleep, the Israeli Olympic Committee chose to use a sleep monitoring system that allows a team of professionals to receive daily data in order to bring about continuous improvement in sleep quality.” Dr. Yoni Yarom Member of the Medical Staff on the Israeli Olympic Delegation to Tokyo BeDS for Now in All Branches www.swisssystem.co.il | 1-800-70-70-80 the SmArt Set! Only NIS 23,200 Come see the next smart thing Pay in installments through a in the world of sleeping standing bank order or credit card Bnei Brak, Design Center, 3rd. Fl. 2 Lehi St. | Kfar Saba | Haifa(Nesher) | Jerusalem | Talpiot Bilu Branch | Netanya | Beersheba, Price refers to the dual Smart sleep system, which includes a pair of smart adjustable Design Plus Center (Formerly 7th Boulevard) | Rishon Lezion Ergoslim surfaces + a pair of C-Class mattresses + a 160/200 designed headboard | Factory and Logistics Center | Design City Mishor Adumim take the path of professionalism. mainly because she feels she is not Sports develop self-confidence and good enough (28%). So, if we, as important life skills. Returning to the businesspeople, educators and We Always brand survey, women who parents want to reduce the gaps played sports during adolescence between women and men, we must reported that in addition to strengthen girls’ self-confidence physical fitness, they developed in their teenage years, which in believe important social traits and skills reality is when these gaps begin. such as increased confidence (57%), If we do not learn to strengthen improved teamwork skills (53%), our daughters, sisters, students and better ability to cope with stress granddaughters, especially at this (44%) and long-term friendships age, the gaps will continue with us in you, (43%). Even the women themselves, going forward. in retrospect, believe that taking So just before Linoy Ashram part in sports had a positive impact competes at the Olympics, I want on the success of their future careers, to say thank you to her and wish Always and 66% believed that there was also her well. Thanks to her, there are a positive impact on their academic thousands of girls who believe in performance. themselves, and that means the Despite all this data, almost world to them. VP of by Naama Giladi, one in three girls will stop taking Linoy, we believe in you, Always. external relations and corporate part in sports during adolescence, Good luck. • responsibility at Procter & Gamble

n a few days, rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram will compete in the Olympics in Tokyo. All of Israel will be watching her, fingers will be crossed, and we will all, for a moment, become unified, Ibelieving in this young athlete who has in the past few years become a top athlete, year after year, medal after medal. It has been almost two years since Procter & Gamble, producer of Always, chose Linoy Ashram as the brand’s spokesmodel in Israel. We chose her because in terms of values, ​​we felt that this was the most accurate statement to send to teenage girls - believe in yourself, persevere in sports, even if not in a professional and all-embracing way, but as a hobby that will accompany them in life. Ashram’s story is thought-provoking about the role of sports in our lives, especially when it comes to young girls. A survey conducted by the Always brand in Israel shows that the vast majority of girls agree that during adolescence they felt a decrease in their self-confidence (91% of girls ages 16-24). Moreover, surveys show that the level of self-confidence decreases between the ages of 12 and 16, and it will not return to the same levels until she reaches the age of 37. That’s a long time! Sport is of immense importance in everyday life, especially when it comes to young girls, even if only a few of us

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A golden opportunity

At the peak of her considerable powers, Israeli gymnast Linoy Ashram has her sights set on top podium finish in Tokyo

By JOSHUA HALICKMAN

here’s no question that Linoy Ashram’s future was placed into doubt. Many continued to grow. As a junior, Ashram won Ashram is going to be “Big in worried that those skills would have eroded bronze medals at the 2014 Junior European Japan” as Alphaville’s single after a long layoff, but the champ continued to Championships which propelled her to back in 1984 states. stay in shape and work on her trade in order the in where The starlet heads to the Tokyo to be able to compete at the highest of levels as she was the Israeli flag bearer at the closing 2020 Olympic Games in 2021 she readied for the Tokyo Games this summer. ceremonies. That same November she won her Tat the top of her game. The Israeli rhythmic Desire and determination are the two first competitive gold medal in the all-around gymnast is not only performing at her peak characteristics which describe the modest competition in . just in time for the world’s grandest stage, but Ashram as she has surpassed former blue- After a successful year, the Rishon Lezion Ashram is also No. 1 in the world rankings as and-white Olympian while native made her senior circuit debut at the the curtain is about to raised. also becoming a role model for the younger 2015 Moscow Grand Prix where she finished an Ashram has been waiting for this moment generation inspiring those who want to be the impressive fourth in the all-around, and from for quite some time, in fact an extra year due best that they can be. there the rest was history. Ashram became a to the coronavirus pandemic. The 22-year-old Ashram, who was the first ever Israeli to win medal threat at every single competition she will be in front of an audience of millions and a medal at the World Championships when she entered and took home five medals at the 2015 millions and has been groomed for success, took home a pair of silvers in , , Brno, Grand Prix. 2016 saw has trained for success and has continued to began training at the age of seven and took part Ashram continue to pick up the hardware sharpen her skills to succeed for this moment in her first international competition at 12 years winning a variety of medals in , Tashkent in time over the last number of years as she old. Since then she’s just been unstoppable as and . scaled the ladder of success. her success has driven her to continue to hit 2017 was another banner year for Ashram as After competition had been suspended the highest of heights. she not only won five medals at the Maccabiah and the sport was thrown into chaos due to Whether it’s Hoop, Ball, Clubs or Ribbon, the Games but also hit the jackpot at last year’s COVID-19, question marks were abound as Israeli began to rake in the medals as her name World Championships held in Pesaro, .

16 A golden opportunity

Ashram won a pair of bronze medals in the How would Ashram handle the layoff? was that Ashram finished at the top of the all-around and Ribbon exercises becoming Would she be able to train? What would be podium ahead of the Averina twin sisters from the first Israeli rhythmic gymnast to win an with the Olympics and would they ever be , who along with Harnasko, are Ashram’s individual all-around medal and the only the played? main rivals to medal at the Olympic Games. second Israeli to win a medal in the competition. In the Fall of 2020, we began to find out From the trio of World Cups, Ashram was Ashram became the first Israeli to win gold in the answers to those questions as Ashram ready to make her mark at the 2021 European the all-around in the Series which returned to active competition and the lights Championships in Varna, Bulgaria, last month she captured in May at the 2018 Guadalajara went back on for . and make her mark she did. Gold in Clubs World Cup which was yet another sign of things At the European Championships in , once again ahead of the Averina sisters along to come for the starlet. Ashram took the gold in all-around, which with a pair of silvers in Ball and Hoop left At the 2018 and 2019 World Championships, includes all four disciplines in one overall Ashram primed and ready to go for Tokyo. the Sabra continued to win more and more event as she was able to overcome the current “I’m glad I was able to do the best I can. It medals as she collected silvers and bronzes and world No. 2 from Bulgaria. was hard, but every day I reset myself and vaulted towards the top of the world rankings. Next it was on to the Sofia World Cup, said - ‘tomorrow I will come and be better’. Whether it was in All-Around, Team, Hoop, where Ashram collected gold medals in the The focus right now is on the Olympics, and Club, Ribbons or Ball, Ashram’s trophy case all-around and Balls along with a bronze in we will continue to work hard,” Ashram said continued to fill up. Hoop. From Bulgaria, the next stop was after winning. However, Ashram’s rise came to a screeching as the Israeli made sure Hatikva would be The world is at her fingertips and Olympic halt in March of 2020 when the coronavirus played twice with gold medal wins in Hoop glory is just minutes away for Ashram. infiltrated very facet of life as the Olympic and Clubs while in Pesaro, Italy Ashram picked Will she be “Big in Japan”? According to Games in the summer of 2020 in Tokyo were put up a gold in Ball, along with a pair of silvers the musical score for her Ball routine that is on hold and that is when doubt began to enter in Hoop and Clubs. exactly what Ashram will be. Big in Japan and the collective minds of Israeli sports aficionados. What made the gold in Ball so impressive an opportunity to be legendary in Israel. •

17 Herbalife powers Israeli Olympians

or Olympic and 20% exercise and activity. athletes, and even Obviously, when you are an national Olympic Olympic athlete, the importance federations, of nutrition climbs even higher. I sponsorship don’t know how to state an exact partners are of percentage, but nutrition is part of Fcourse an essential aspect of building the body and preserving ensuring that they can operate it to get the best performance Not just a smoothly and dedicate the time, possible.” financial sponsor, efforts and financial resources Herbalife’s full range of quality needed to train for their sports sports nutrition products is backed global nutrition at the highest level. by science and used by hundreds giant provides Sponsors come in all forms, and of its sponsored athletes around as the expression goes “beggars the world. Many of its sponsored supplemental can’t be choosers.” Yet, doesn’t it teams, as is the case in Israel, also products and make much more sense for an benefit from Herbalife’s nutrition Olympic athlete to have a nutrition scientists who spend time with scientific health industry leader in his or her corner athletes educating them on the experts to rather than a beer company or a important role good nutrition car manufacturer? plays in sports performance. blue-and-white Well, in comes Herbalife, a “This is regardless of the athletes global provider of nutrition event. It can be a stamina event, products and supplement, a power event or anything else, which has been a sponsor of the nutrition plays a great role in the By URIEL STURM Olympic Committee of Israel and performance of an athlete and its athletes for more than five years Herbalife globally has emphasized and has really stepped up its game and focused on this area, starting ahead of the Tokyo Games. in the early 2000s by bringing a As a recent discussion with lot of sports nutrition experts Country Director of Herbalife onto the board and presenting Israel Ron Porat illuminated, it also what we called Herbalife 24, is a win-win partnership for both which is a dedicated supplement sides. for professional athletes.” “The relationship between And it isn’t just about writing Herbalife and the Israel Olympic a or mailing nutritional Committee began in 2015 when products to athletes. we took on sponsorship of the “Regarding the local gymnastics team,” noted Porat. sponsorship of Olympic athletes “Later on in 2016, just after the – and I believe there are seven Rio Olympic Games, we extended total countries around the our sponsorship to the whole world in which Herbalife has Olympics team. partnered with the respective There is such a clear symbiosis Olympic committees – we are between the two organizations helping the athletes throughout that it seems to be a match made the period before the Olympics,” in heaven. said Porat. “We are a sponsor that “For us, this is a core is involved during the entire cycle sponsorship as Herbalife globally of preparation for the Games, puts a large emphasis on sport and not just the year before, to have on sports nutrition in particular. the best nutrition possible. A Our nutritional experts always lot of experts are also advising say that for a “regular” person, a the athletes regarding personal person who is not a professional goals, because each sport requires athlete, to have a healthy and different nutritional programs active lifestyle, it is 80% nutrition from each other. So for us it is

18 very important and throughout the years we have created great collaboration with the local Olympic committee, led by Gili Lustig. “The sponsorship is built on a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, Herbalife powers there is the financial sponsorship to the committee itself, and on the other hand there is the partnership through our products and our experts. So all the athletes on the Olympic team can get our products through the nutritional support in the institute. And it isn’t just the products, but the personalization for each athlete according to his or her needs because obviously there is a Israeli Olympians difference to the regiment between a judoka and a gymnast.” Asked about the potential benefit of Herbalife products and where they can be viewed as a dietary alternative to regular food, Porat was quick to dismiss that notion. “We don’t replace food. We actually endorse healthy food and a healthy diet, even if it is not through using Herbalife products. For example, vegetables, fruits and other healthy foods. We are not a complete diet solution – you cannot live just on Herbalife. But the advantage of Herbalife, especially the products for professional athletes, is that through a Herbalife shake or tea or any other of our supplements, you can find everything that you need in the right quantities to absorb and to digest. “So for example, if it is pre-practice or post-practice, we have different products that give you exactly what you need either before or after the specific training involved. This helps build the energy prior to practice, maintaining it through the practice and recovering in a healthy way afterwards. It’s easier, quicker and very delicious, at least in my opinion.” Once given a taste of Herbalife, the athletes themselves have been quick to jump on board. “The feedback we get from the athletes is very positive and they manage to understand through our experts and through our nutritional partners within the Olympic committee and beyond the importance of a healthy nutritional diet and how that helps not just to fuel the body and give it energy but also to prevent for all kinds of potential injuries and to overcome tremendous efforts in the immediate period after a practice, which is extremely crucial to professional athletes, who could be practicing up to a few times a day at time. long it is for or how high you are any case much healthier than It isn’t just fuel for the body, but also about preserving it and building it back.” taking your heart rate to, you need in other countries due to the Porat was born in and holds a bachelor's degree in business to have energy before, you need Mediterranean diet that our food administration from the College of Management He joined Herbalife seven to maintain your energy and you system is based on, with a lot of years ago, after a successful career in sales. He started at Diplomat as a field need to recover afterwards. vegetables and olive oil. agent, and later as VP of sales for Procter & Gamble in Israel, and for a short So while the principles and the “Therefore, our obesity rate, time at SodaStream, where he managed the network of external distributors science of our product are the while not great, is better than in various parts of the world. same across the board, the use in other countries. The second “When I was approached by Herbalife, I realized that this was an of them is usually less frequent advantage is the Israeli weather, unprecedented managerial challenge. A company with great potential, working for the recreational athletes as which allows us to participate on a lesser-known model, and which is important to make accessible to as opposed to the professional ones.” in outdoor activities and sports many consumers as possible, and especially to present the excellent solutions Over the past decade or so, the virtually all year round as opposed available to almost everyone.” emphasis of a healthy lifestyle has to other countries which in the Porat’s personal experience is not in professional sports and he is quick taken hold throughout the world, winter are limited to how much to point out that Herbalife’s products are great for any type of participant and even more so in Israel. can be done outdoors for many in exercise or activity. “When it comes to the Israeli months of the year. Also, in the last “I don’t have a professional background in sports. Unfortunately, I am not lifestyle – from both an exercise year, awareness of sports became so talented. I participated in all kinds of sports when I was a teenager, but and nutrition standpoint – I feel much more of a community I didn’t excel in any of them, and I didn’t even have the dream of being an that even when I started working through various competitions, Olympic athlete, I looked more at it from a fan’s perspective from the outside. at Herbalife about seven years ago such as ninja and the like, and But in my personal life, I am a big fan of hiking and usually a few times a the mentality of Israelis toward Israelis have started to become year I hike big mountains and peaks, up to 4,000 meter, which obviously an active and healthy lifestyle much more ambitious than ever take a lot of physical effort, but I cannot say that I am a professional athlete. was higher than in most other before. So now you don’t even need The highest peak I have climbed was the Alpamayo in Peru, in my early 20s, countries. Herbalife is active in a ball or a tennis racket or these and that was about 6,000 meters. But now that I am 46 I am not passing the 95 markets globally, so we have a types of equipment to participate 4,000 meter mark. good basis for comparison to other in sport. I personally can tell you “In terms of the recreational athlete, who is not professional, the effect countries in the world. Through that I run in the Yarkon Park in of the Herbalife products is the same, but the ambience is different. Our my tenure with the company, the Tel Aviv every morning and it is nutritional products, whether or not you are training heavily in sports or awareness and implementation of getting more and more crowded not, can help anyone. Of course, there are people who train a few hours daily such a lifestyle in Israel has even as time goes by. or people who are active for 40 minutes weekly. But either way, the principal increased. Because Israel has a “For a healthy diet and a healthy is the same. First of all, healthy nutrition is the basis for healthy living, in lot of good advantages compared lifestyle, Israel has come a long general, not just coming from a Herbalife product.” to other countries. First of all, way as more and more people The key ingredient is energy, something we can all use more of. the basic menu and nutritional are aware of what they put into “When you are exposing your body to physical efforts, regardless of how principles here in Israel are in their bodies, how much

19 The Importance of Personalized Sports Nutrition

By DANA RYAN, PhD, MBA M.A. – Director, Sport Performance, Nutrition and Education

important - make sure you are consuming 30-60g per hour.

Not knowing when to 2. choose a sports drink over water. orking with some and avoid carbohydrates. Focusing solely on While water consumption should be the of the best athletes protein is not the best way to build muscle. priority, there are times when our bodies need in the world at For improved results, protein intake needs Herbalife Nutrition, to be combined with enough good-quality I help them improve calories from carbohydrates. The body utilizes their performance protein more effectively if carbs are available. through good nutrition. Plus, carbs are important for replenishing Whether it's judo or swimming or any glycogen stores. This is true for all athletes, other sport, there are some standard pillars but for endurance sports such swimming of sports nutrition that we focus on and then or a triathlon, carbohydrates are even more some specifics for each sport. There are also several common nutrition mistakes that we try to help them avoid, and these are tips that are not only relevant to professional athletes but to all members of society:

Eating all proteins, no carbs. 1. Many athletes make the mistake of thinking that they should only eat protein

20 they sleep and how much they because in the end, the skin is the engage in physical activity, and largest organ that also needs to be Herbalife provides the answer to taken care of. all these areas.” “Two new categories we will While many large companies enter in 2021 are iced coffee and were naturally impacted negatively savory snacks, as well as whole by the coronavirus pandemic, menus and not just individual Herbalife was actually able to products.” grow its business over the past The relationship between two years. Herbalife and the Olympic “This challenging period has Committee of Israel has been intensified and strengthened the extremely beneficial all around demand for our products. All and is one that hopefully will pay of them respond to needs that dividends on the podium have intensified in recent years, “For us the partnership with such as obesity, increased life the Olympic Committee of Israel expectancy and awareness of a is a long-term one, because the added sugars and electrolytes to maintain energy levels and healthy lifestyle, have gained healthy and active lifestyle is a hydration status during exercise: momentum throughout corona. core attribute to our business,” said · Water is the preferred fuel for hydration if athletes are For example, eating more at Porat. “This is why we announced doing a light workout. Typically, light workouts under 30 home is better for us. Awareness a few months ago that the local minutes don't require a sports drink. of a healthy lifestyle has also risen partnership with the OCI will · When engaging in sports or exercise for more than 30 significantly – because when it be extended for another seven minutes, an athlete’s body will need the electrolytes from comes to epidemics, background years, which will include the a sports drink to replenish the liquid lost through sweat. diseases and the need for sporting Olympic Games in 2024

Not timing their workout activities, it will always work in and 2028, as well as supplements correctly. our favor. Another thing that the Winter Olympics even though 3. strengthened us is the business Israeli delegations to those games It’s important to consider not only what supplements to opportunity Herbalife offers. Many are smaller. take but also when to take them. people who were independent or Asked for a blue-and-white · Pre-Workout: Give yourself a boost by taking a pre- entrepreneurial unfortunately lost medal prediction, Porat was workout supplement with caffeine. Caffeine stimulates your their livelihood. Here was a golden diplomatic yet resolute and body’s metabolism, which in effect, helps maintain focus opportunity for them to start a hopeful. and reduces fatigue. Aim for this pre-workout about 15-30 business without a lot of equity. “I can’t predict how many minutes before training All of these factors undoubtedly medals Israeli athletes will win · During-Workout: While working out, you’ll want to strengthened us and I expect that in Tokyo, but I have seen in the last stay hydrated and fueled, so look for sports drinks with a we will end this year with at least five years what it means to be an good amount of carbohydrates and electrolytes! Electrolytes a 60% increase.” Olympic athlete behind the scenes. can replace valuable nutrients such as sodium, potassium, With regards to the specific How much they invest, how they magnesium and calcium, which are lost when you sweat. products that Herbalife offers, dedicate their life for this change · Post-Workout: Post-workout nutrition serves two there is a great variety. that, depending on a given day, can purposes: refueling what you just burnt off and preparing “Herbalife offers several lead to unpredictable and amazing you for your next workout. Therefore, athletes should focus categories, the largest of which results. I think that three medals on a combination of protein and high-quality carbohydrates. is meal replacements that offer for Israel is realistic, but I must No matter the sport, consume at least 20g of high-quality products such as smoothies, add that being a witness to the protein combined with carbohydrates. For strength-based powders and snacks. These are effort that these men and women sports, you want your post workout shake in a 1:1 ratio of basically products whose dose put in, I more importantly want carbohydrates and protein, while for endurance sports you consumption is equivalent to to wish all of them success.” • want it closer to 3:1. meal consumption, meaning they contain all the vitamins and No matter the sport, good quality nutrition supports your minerals needed for a healthy meal training and helps your body perform at its best! and low calories. Beverages, aloe For the ultimate sports drink, try Herbalife24® CR7 Drive, vera or tea that have a positive aimed to provide three necessary components for optimal effect on the digestive system and sports performance: enhanced hydration, metabolism support metabolism. Another category and energy. CR7 Drive, developed in partnership with soccer is the dietary supplements, the star and Herbalife nutrition experts, is classic multivitamin supplements, part of Herbalife24 sports nutrition range, a comprehensive omega three, schisandra and more performance nutrition line empowering athletes 24-hours in the form of capsules. We have a day. Without any artificial flavors or sweeteners, lightly another series called Herbalife 24 flavored and formulated to provide optimal performance, it which includes products suitable fuels your workout with enhanced hydration, metabolism- for professional athletes. And, of supporting Vitamin B12, and energy. •course, the cosmetics category,

21 Israel Baseball’s Field of Dreams

e can do roster players as other leading ball sports (e.g. After this!” Team basketball), the Tokyo competition is limited Israel general to a handful of squads. Israel became the first shockingly manager of only six teams to secure an Olympic berth qualifying Peter Kurz when it clawed its way to the top, playing in for the confidently four consecutive tournaments and shocking the “told IsraelW President Reuven Rivlin as members baseball world by winning the Europe/Africa Olympics, of his Tokyo-bound squad joined the rest of Israel’s Qualifier in Italy in September 2019. In Japan, blue-and- Olympic delegation to receive a Presidential send these six teams will participate in an advanced off. playoff process that quickly leads to the medal white is Tal Erel flashed his good-natured smile round. one of just during an interview with local Israeli press and How will the baseball competition work in said, “The next time you see us, we’ll hopefully Tokyo? six teams have something to show.” who will Both Kurz and Erel were referring to the same The baseball competition begins with a Group goal: capturing Israel’s first-ever Olympic medal Stage: the six teams are divided into two groups compete in a team sport. of three wherein each team plays two games to in Tokyo, Israel’s baseball team hit the road in early July for determine its ranking for the next “knockout” stage. a two-week tune-up in the USA, where it trained Group assignment was determined according making a daily and was slated to play nine exhibition games. to the latest world ranking (WR). Thus, Group miraculous The barnstorming tour allowed the Israeli nine A includes host and World No. 1 Japan; Mexico to face live competition for the first time since (WR 5); and the Dominican Republic (WR 7), medal well clinching its Olympic berth. which was the last team to qualify, just last month. Israel (WR 24) begins its medal quest in group within The first exhibition game, on Sunday July B, which includes Korea (WR 3 and the 2008 11, took place at the Mets’ minor reach defending Olympic gold medalist) and the USA league stadium at , fittingly named (WR 4), which also only recently punched its Maimonides Park. So conjuring up the spirit of Olympic ticket. Therefore, the only two games By DANNY GROSSMAN the original Maimonides, here is a “Guide to the that are set are these first two Group Stage Perplexed” for fans and followers to learn what matches. The knockout stage will reduce the pack to expect as the blue-and-white prepares to battle to four teams that will compete for medals on for a medal when the Olympics kick off. August 7, the day before the closing ceremony. How many teams will play in Japan and how When will Israel play and what are our chances? did Israel qualify? Israel opens its Olympic campaign on Thursday, Because baseball teams have twice as many July 29 at 1 p.m. in Israel (7 p.m. local time in

22 Israel Baseball’s Field of Dreams

Japan) against Korea. Twenty-four hours Ryan Lavarnway; Scotty Burcham, whose back to the upcoming game against Team later (July 30 at 1 p.m. in Israel), the boys in 10th-, game-winning RBI single sank USA. American manager blue-and-white take on the USA. Korea; and former Mets switch – hitting (who managed Team Israel in 2017!) will be How will it go? As Yogi Berra liked to say, infielder Ty Kelly who called that win “the missing Team USA’s star hitter who opened “Predictions are hard to make…especially most stressful game I’ve ever been a part of.” the 2017 championship game with a two-run about the future.” Following Israel’s opener against Korea, the blast that powered it to victory – none other Sports truisms have a way of producing next day’s game against the USA will be a very than Israeli Ian Kinsler! historical facts. As the 1969 Mets, Jets and tall order but not an impossible challenge. Why was Aliyah so important? Knicks all proved: “games are won on the Despite winning the 2017 WBC, the USA field, not on paper.” has a mixed record in Olympic competition While the WBC allows players who A look at Israeli-Korean baseball history because it can’t field current MLB players. are eligible for citizenship to represent their (Seoul search?) is more revealing and no less The Americans still have tremendous talent, country, Olympics rules clearly require that optimistic. Just four years ago at the 2017 but so does Israel. countries field only players who are bona , little Israel stunned GM Kurz has inspired players to make fide citizens. Kurz and his colleagues have the Koreans, beating them 2-1 on their home Aliyah and buy into his vision of building assembled an amazing group of professionals turf. Israel’s MLB veteran right-hander Josh . 2019 ace Joey Wagman to bolster a roster of native Israelis like Erel, Zeid closed three of scoreless relief and A’s lefty Jeremy Bleich are part of a staff veteran Shlomo Lipetz, Moshav Timurim’s by striking out Korean slugger Dae-Ho Lee that has brought them this far and are keen Assaf Lowengart and Kibbutznik Alon – who hit 14 homers for the Mariners the on keeping helping Kurz and manager Eric Leichman. As Kinsler said, “I’m looking next season. Holtz fulfill their shared dream. forward to the excitement of the Olympics Israel, which had entered that 2017 WBC As former Reds Jon Moscot Tweeted, and competing with a group of people that tournament with ESPN comparing it to the “We’re going to surprise a lot of people.” understand the impact we can make in Israel.” Jamaican bobsled team, finished sixth overall The final piece of Israel’s Olympic puzzle fell The players have become tied to their and was crowned as baseball’s Cinderella into place when four-time MLB All-Star Ian teammates and their new homeland. In Team. Years later, during his last sit-down Kinsler made Aliyah last March. Ian and Jerusalem, they gained personal inspiration with in Tel Aviv, Zeid wife Tess left their kids at home and arrived at the Kotel and City of David and spent recalled how an official from the Baseball just four hours before COVID-19 closed intense moments at Yad Vashem. Several Hall of Fame approached him after the final the airport. players like MLB slugger Danny Valencia out requesting Zeid’s hat, to be displayed in Kinsler embraced his heritage with the have openly shown their emotions during Cooperstown to memorialize the “greatest same serious approach that made him a quiet their visits. Valencia preferred to let his bat upset in the history of international baseball.” leader of so many great teams. He’s dead do the talking, busting six home runs with Several key players are back from the set on winning a medal as a stepping-stone 16 RBIs in the 12 games that propelled Israel WBC Cinderella team, this time having toward inspiring Israeli youth. In fact, he to the games in Tokyo. made Aliyah to allow them to represent had to be torn away from a meeting with “We’re one people,” said Kurz, “and a Israel. They include tournament MVP catcher kids to make his flight home. This brings us 12-year-old in Florida, Givataim or Kfar

23 From MLB to the Olympics in blue-and-white

By JOSHUA HALICKMAN

head of Israel’s historic participation in the 2020 Olympic Games baseball tournament in Tokyo, The Jerusalem Post caught up with former pitcher Josh Zeid, who will be suiting up for the blue-and-white in Japan.

The Jerusalem Post: What does it mean to you to represent Israel at the Olympics? Josh Zeid: It would be easy for me to say it was my dream to play in the Olympics. If I was a swimmer, badminton player or the like it would be something I could have imagined going to the Games. But as a baseball player it was really all about an initial shock. I am anxious, excited and passionate about it all at the same time.

JP: What was your connection to Israel and growing up? JZ: My connection to Israel was that I am Jewish. I didn’t have much connection early on but I was a Conservative Jew and went to synagogue Saturday morning as well as Hebrew school three times a week until the age of 14. When I started to participate in the Maccabi games I made a team that I would have had a chance to play in Israel but I lost and I felt I needed to get back. Having the opportunity in 2012 and being on a team with Israeli born baseball players along with seeing the passion and excitement, that’s where my wanting for more and more came from. minors and then the major leagues as a Jew? JZ: Before I got to college I travelled a lot in High school and played with players from JP: Did you know that you wanted to be different parts of the United State. I got a lot of questions about the Jewish star around my a baseball player? neck. Many were 16- and 17-year-olds who are less mature at that age and I got some weird JZ: I always wanted to be a baseball player questions and comments but nothing that would not make me feel uncomfortable in my or a basketball player and an astronaut, so own skin. Being Jewish has always been something that I have been so proud of. I am batting .333 for my goals to date. My parents pushed me but they did not force me. JP: What was it like getting called up the majors? They gave me the opportunities to be coached JZ: I was playing very well at the time and 2013 was one of my first years in Major League by the best coaches within 200 miles of my Baseball where I felt in mind that I could go to the big leagues. When they actually told me house. I would not have been able to succeed I started laughing. I thought it was a joke and couldn’t expect that it was real. I told my wife without my parents. that she has a flight booked to watch me pitch in Baltimore the next day and I continued to laugh. Laughing was how I handled the emotional experience. Holy cow I did it, I made JP: What was it like going through college, it. It’s was so special.

24 From MLB to Manda today can watch us earn a medal and Zach Penprase, who regularly shares his mind- dream of playing for Team Israel in Dodger mentoring techniques with teammates, drove Stadium at the 2028 LA Games.” cross country (with Sabra-born Lowengart) to the Olympics in How have the players managed during play for a former coach who offered him a chance the year-long Olympic postponement to play daily on the East Coast. The players and their families have shown What’s the bottom line? blue-and-white tremendous determination, resilience and The math is simple: six teams and three medals. creativity in adapting to the new situation. “I love our chances,” says Kurz. After making Aliyah, Lavarnway, who has According to Holtz, Team Israel’s “Old School” played in parts of 10 Major League Baseball manager, games are played one pitch, one at-bat, seasons, had the distinction of becoming the and one inning at a time. Holtz likes being the first Israeli citizen to play in the MLB last underdog. His dream is to see Israel not only win year, collecting hits in a stint with the Marlins in Japan, but to use its hard-fought achievements while impressively gunning down a runner with to grow the and quickly double and his cannon-like arm. The Yale graduate, one of then triple the number of participants (currently two Team Israel players to own a Red Sox World around 1,000 from ages 6 to 50) while the JNF Series ring, shared tips with thousands of young continues to build new fields so “they will come.” catchers who watched his YouTube videos. For more information, please visit www. Blake Gailen who hit .400 with nine homers baseball.org.il/ or www.facebook.com/ and 22 RBIs in 19 games for Team Israel over four IABIsraelBaseball/ • tournaments in 2019, travelled hallway across Lt. Colonel (Reserve) Danny Grossman flew the globe to stay in baseball shape, which he did fighters in the US and Israeli Air Forces and while leading the Australian League in home runs. has served as the Israeli Director of the American After Team Israel’s recent training camp Jewish Congress and an Adviser for Team Israel. in Arizona, several players signed up with He will cover the Tokyo Games as the Jerusalem Independent league ball clubs. Californian Post Olympic correspondent.

JP: How did you get involved with Israel JP: What were your feelings going into JP: What were your feelings about baseball? the WBC and as to the success you had qualifying for the Olympics? JZ: In 2011 I was playing in Arizona Fall in 2017? JZ: I watched all of the games. People in league and I met reporter Jonathan Mayo JZ: I was so excited to get a chance to America don’t respect these European teams, in person and asked if I wanted to play on play in Asia at the World Baseball Classic. but the top of European division is very, very an all Jewish team and play in Israel. Being Being asked to participate is like a blessing talented. Holland is one of the best teams a major and minor league player playing for and so surreal. Baseball shouldn’t be able year in and year out. We have put together Israel and to be fully immersed in national to provide such unique experiences. I was a team of reserves that are so talented and pride spurred the relationship and growth lucky enough to do all of these things and competitive that play with such passion. Any which turned into an Olympic team less it’s like a dream but actually became reality. time an Israeli team shows up, we have a chance to win. It’s the mantra of the Jewish than a decade later. Every time I step on the field, I expect my team to succeed and do really well. I can’t people. You may not be the favorite but if say I was not shocked that we did so well. It you prepare properly, you give yourself a fighting chance. was the most fun I had on a . It was the best group of guys. That entire three JP: What are your thoughts about weeks made my career reach a culmination. baseball in Israel and the impact that you can have? JP: How about being the Topps Now JZ: I follow all of the teams and leagues Israel baseball card? on social media. I enjoy checking in and JZ: That card, that picture, I have it on have personally helped by giving a pitching every device I own. My best friend is Ryan seminar in order to help the new coaches. Lawarnway and for that moment winning On a grander scale, baseball is never going our first WBC game to be immortalized to be the in Israel, like on a card, is a life long dream. I grew up soccer basketball and beach sports, but collecting baseball cards. We joked about there is massive population that wants to how cool it would be to have one of our play baseball. By raising money to build own one day. But the fact I have my own and update fields is the best we can do. We and to have Team Israel as part of it was an love to go to Israel and see the progress and honor. It was a thrill. continue to grow those relationships. •

25 Athletics

he Israeli Athletics team for the 2020 Olympics will include 7 By JOSHUA HALICKMAN athletes as they each hope to win a medal in Tokyo this summer for the blue-and-white. Lonah Chemtai Salpeter is arguably the 10000 Meters. Dagnachew has won the Israeli biggest name Israel has to offer in this category championship in the 800 Meters in 2017 along as she has shown her ability to win medals over with winning the 1500 Meters in 2019 and hopes the past few years leading up to the Olympics to be a pleasant surprise for her Israeli supporters. with a gold medal in the 10,000 Meters at the In the Men’s Marathon, Israel will have 3 2018 European Championships in as well runners including Haimro Alame (31-years as a gold medal in the old), Girmaw Amare (33-years old) and Marhu in Tokyo in 2020. Teferi (28-years old). Teferi, who is married to This summer is Lonah’s big chance to bring Selamawit Dagnachew was able to qualify for home a medal as she is at the peak of her career at the 2016 Olympics and finished in 74th place the age of 32, heading into the biggest event over out of 155 runners in the Men’s Marathon. Teferi the course of the last 5 years that the athletics will hope to improve on his previous Olympic world has to offer. Marathon and get even closer to the podium. With her husband Dan by her side as her For Amare and Alame this will be their first personal coach, she hopes to achieve glory in the time competing in the Olympics. Alame holds country of the rising sun as she will participate the Israeli record in the men’s 10,000 Meters in multiple categories: The 5000 Meters, 10,000 and hopes to break more Israeli and Olympic Meters and the Marathon, which is the category records this summer in Tokyo. where she may have the highest potential to Diana Vaisman will represent the blue and reach the podium. white in the 100 Meters. The 22-year old holds 30-year old Maor Tiyouri will be participating the all-time Israeli record for the 100 Meters in the Women’s Marathon along with Chemtai sprint breaking Esther Roth Shahamorov’s record Salpeter. Tiyouri won the silver medal at the set int the 1972 Munich Games. Diana is coached both in 2009 in the 1500 by her mother Irina who herself is a former Meters and in the 3000 Meters while in 2013 she athlete. Hopes are high for Vaisman and along added a bronze medal at the European Games with this being her first Olympic journey, Israeli in Baku in 2015 in the mixed team category. fans should get excited for this new rising star. Israeli Women’s athletics has an additional In the 3000 Meters Steeplechase Israel will be runner competing this summer in 27-year represented by Adva Cohen. The 25-year old old Selamawit Dagnachew Teferi as she will has impressed in many competitions over the be participating in the 5000 Meters and past 5 years and holds the 2017 title of Israel

26 Athletics

Athletic Association’s National Track and Field Breakthrough Athlete of the Year. In the field events Israel has one representative, Hanna Knyazyeva-Minenko from , who will take part in the Women’s Triple Jump. Minenko had represented the Ukraine up until 2012 and switched allegiances starting in 2013. The 31-year old was able to qualify for the Olympics at the last minute as her second to last qualifying jump was good enough to meet the Olympic qualification criteria. Minenko will be entering the Olympics with many achievements to her name including medals at the European Championships and World Championships over the past number of years. At the 2012 Games, she was able to reach the finals in the Triple Jump and will hope to carry that experience into the upcoming summer in Tokyo. Israeli hopes for an athletics medal is partially pointed towards Minenko as she is a seasoned and experienced competitor who the local fans in the Holy Land have learned to love over the years thanks to her dedication and achievements. •

27 2020 Tokyo Dates for All Events

All Olympic television coverage in Israel will be aired by Sport5 and its affiliates. Please visit www.sport5.co.il for full TV listings and event broadcast times.

28 scaled back because of coronavirus curbs. Organizers say international spectators will Tokyo’s delayed not be allowed to enter Japan during the Games, with a decision on local fans to be made in June. May 18: The Tokyo Medical Practitioners’ and disrupted Association throws its weight behind calls to cancel the Games, saying hospitals are overwhelmed as the country battles a spike in COVID-19 cases. 2020 Games May 21: A Reuters survey finds nearly 70% of Japanese firms want the Tokyo Olympics either canceled or postponed. lympic organizers have tournaments, are canceled or postponed. May 26: The White House reaffirms its support decided to hold the Tokyo With under five months to go before the for Tokyo's plan to hold the Games and for U.S. Games without spectators, event, the deputy director general of the Tokyo athletes competing there despite the issuing of as Japan struggles to stem 2020 Preparation Bureau at the city government a government advisory against travel to Japan. a new wave of coronavirus says they have no Plan B for the Games despite An editorial in the Japanese Asahi infections with a state of alarm over the spread of the virus in Japan Shimbun, an official partner of the Games, calls emergency for Tokyo that will end after the and elsewhere. for the Olympics to be canceled, citing risks to July 23-August 8 Games. March 2020: Despite the organizing public safety and strains on the medical system. The following is a timeline of major events committee stating earlier in the month that May 27: The head of a Japanese doctors' in the run-up to the Olympics, postponed for preparations would continue as planned and union says holding the Games in Tokyo a year and set to open in about two weeks: the International Olympic Committee saying could lead to the emergence of an "Olympic" September 2013: Tokyo is awarded the 2020 it would proceed as per the original schedule, coronavirus strain, but a senior International Olympics after convincingly defeating rivals the Games are postponed by a year. Olympic Committee member says the Games Istanbul and Madrid for the right to stage January 2021: Japan’s government continues will go on "barring Armageddon." the Games for the second time, having first with preparations to hold the Games, June 13: The Group of Seven wealthy nations hosted them in 1964. repeatedly insisting it will hold the event amid say in a communique after a leaders' summit January 2020: The coronavirus is declared a the pandemic despite opinion polls showing in Cornwall that they support the holding of global public health emergency by the World a majority of Japanese want them postponed the Tokyo Olympics this year. Health Organization as fears grow in Japan again or canceled. June 23: Organisers release guidelines banning alcohol, high-fives and talking loudly for the reduced numbers of Olympic ticket holders allowed into venues, as Tokyo marks a month until the Olympics open. June 29: Tokyo decides to move the first half of the 15-day Olympic torch relay scheduled to take place in the capital off public roads, the metropolitan government says, as coronavirus infection numbers show signs of surging again. July 6: Organisers ask the public not to gather on the streets of Sapporo for the marathon and race walk, a decision , the governing body for the sport, says is inconsistent with rules allowing up to 10,000 spectators in Tokyo venues, many indoors. July 8: Olympic organizers decide to hold the Tokyo Games without spectators under coronavirus restrictions as Japan struggles to that the outbreak could threaten the Games. March: The Olympic torch relay kicks stem a new wave of infections with a state of February 2020: A number of international off, beginning a four-month countdown emergency in Tokyo. • sporting events, including Olympic qualifying to the Olympics, although celebrations are (Reuters)

29 blood across the sand and getting stitches at the hospital, she asked to go back to the beach. When Yochai took her back to the scene of the crime, the lifeguards there made Israeli her tea and she sat, stitched up and bandaged, watching the waves. Despite her injury, it was the beginning of surfer Anat’s love affair with the sport. She continued to surf, and eventually began entering regional contests run by the Israeli Surfing Association, or ISA. Soon she was not only winning, but catching the eye of the local surf industry. Artur Rashkovan, the owner Anat of Klinika, a Tel Aviv surf shop and pivotal figure in the Israeli city’s modern surf culture, remembers the first time he saw her surf. “I was announcing a local kids’ contest in Netanya, around 2007,” he said. “I saw this Lelior’s girl, like 12 years old, and she was laying back [a technical, snapping maneuver] and throwing water. I didn’t know her name and I freaked. I was like, ‘Who is this girl?!’” unlikely That ability to throw water – the amount of spray coming from a board as a surfer turns it – requires strong legs, technical skills and path to confidence. And in Anat’s case, it was just one indication of her power and prowess in the water, which was well beyond that of peers. But unlike female standouts in places like Tokyo or , where contests are brimming over with talented up-and-comers across genders, in Israel at the time there were only a handful of other girls competing. BY ANNA DIMOND Anat quickly ran out of people to surf against. According to Rashkovan, surfer Maya Dauber had come up against the same problem in the 1980s. Known as Israel’s first female pro, Dauber ended up competing against boys due to the lack of female opponents. But by the time Anat began competing and pursuing a surfing career, not only were there fewer kids surfing, but national interest in the sport was all but dead. The barrier to entry had become even higher. “We slowly started seeing the level of European surfing escaping us,” Rashkovan said. “The European surfers started getting bigger sponsorships and the ASP circuit [the global organizing body] would go to Europe. There was a geographic connection for them, too, and we were, you know, at the end of the [Mediterranean], left out.” So the idea of surfing becoming an Olympic sport – much less an Israeli competing in nat Lelior’s first experience breaking wave. But instead of riding to the them – seemed more than a little far-fetched. with surfing came at age 5. sand triumphant, the board nosedived. They But in 2002, Rashkovan became the It was an inauspicious tumbled off and the board shot into the air director of the Israeli Surfing Association. start to the sport that like an 8-foot, plastic-and-foam projectile. He dreamt of the day that Israel had a vibrant would become her career On its return trip it hit Anat on the forehead, surf culture, like what he’d seen on a trip to and, later this month, take splitting it open. California. The road there, however, would Aher to the Tokyo Olympics. As blood ran down his daughter’s face, be long and steep. While the industry as a Her father, Yochai, lay on the back of Yochai recalled, “all the people on the beach whole was thriving, in Israel, competitive the board with her at their local beach in were looking at me like I was a murderer.” surfing was not. Tel Aviv and pushed both of them into a Anat, however, was unfazed. After dripping Rashkovan went to work: He offered

30 insurance and surf shop discounts as perks of In fact, it was Anat’s father, Yochai, who qualified as Israel’s entrant to the Olympics membership. He threw a big relaunch party lobbied the ISA to let her compete in the at the International Surfing Association’s for the association, and brought in the major boys’ contests. World Surfing Games in El Salvador. A few brands and registered new members. He “In the beginning we said no,” Zamir weeks ago, the family was there again to cheer worked to convince surfers that being part of recalled. on Anat as she secured her spot in Tokyo. the ISA had perks, even for noncompetitors. Eventually the association would relent. In contrast to many of her Olympic peers, By the time he left the association in the Anat joined the boys’ contests, then began Anat’s formative years in the sport were largely mid-2000s, Rashkovan had reinvigorated to travel and compete outside the country a journey of one. competitive surfing, started to rebuild its against bigger pools of female athletes. At “It’s so hard to be so alone in this kind of a membership roster and created the first the same time, surfing’s popularity in Israel journey, to have to break so many barriers,” events for girls. continued to grow, and more girls began to Yochai said. “You question yourself so many In 2007, he and the ISA passed the reins to compete. times. You are not in a community of surfers. Yossi Zamir, an Israel native who had newly While Anat sometimes struggled to find To be a woman surfer with no competitions returned after nearly two decades living in the competitive resources in a system that for you, and to be able to grow from that. Australia. Zamir had not only formed close wasn’t yet ready for her, her family filled To go to the army, and to go to school; this industry connections there, but also saw a in with support in every way. Not only did feeling that you always have to be in two highly organized, government-sponsored her parents supply her with equipment and places at the same time.” approach to surfing with competition that occasional plane tickets but also with in- Those who have watched Anat’s evolution created a kind of feeder system to the sport’s house training partners: her older brother, in the water and out say that it’s not only her upper echelon. Ido, and her younger sister, Noa, who also talent, work ethic and uniquely supportive At the ISA, he set out to import what he competed until she was derailed by an injury. family that have gotten her here. had learned. Having each other to surf with helped them “Anat has a very strong internal energy,” His first goal was to get more kids into up their games. Rashkovan said. “She’s something else, she’s surfing – helping the sport lose its punk, bad- It was Noa who spearheaded Anat’s first a different kind of person. She’s very strong- boy image – and put some structure, rules visit to a much bigger stage in surfing. Now minded.” In other words, she has the kind of and standards into the competitions. Next 18, when Noa was 12, she asked if, in lieu toughness required to forge her own way in up was to bring higher-profile, international of a party for her bat mitzvah, the family a highly competitive, male-dominated sport.” qualifying contests to the country. And could go to a surf contest abroad. Yochai and It’s in that light, Yochai said, that Anat’s together with a top Australian coach, Zamir the sisters packed up and headed for their road to the Olympics means more than just developed a coaching program and high- first Qualifying Series (QS) and junior-level reaching the pinnacle of her sport. He recalled performance clinics for ISA surfers. contest in France – a massive step up from the time in 2019 when she provisionally Like Rashkovan, he also remembers his local competitions. qualified for Tokyo. It had been a long, first time seeing Anat surf. “It was such a treat,” Yochai said. “Tents challenging day in which she had competed “At the first clinic, Anat arrived with her on the beach. Buffet for the morning and against some of the world’s most elite surfers. sister,” Zamir said. “She was really young everything was so nice. We rented a van, “When we got to the hotel, suddenly and we actually saw her potential already but a van for flowers, so we slept in the back I understood that her qualification was at that time.” with sleeping bags. We didn’t do the big party [validation],” Yochai said. “For a long time It was around 2012, when Israel had just for Noa. But we did a road trip. We did this she couldn’t believe that her success was four or five female competitors in the entire competition and then we went to Pantin her own doing and not by chance. And she country. [, which also hosts a QS contest]. The worked so hard for it. “It was very hard to get to a high level when seed was planted. One event can make a “In a way, making the Olympics says yes, you don’t really have someone to compete difference for a person’s life in her journey.” your work, your achievement, is visible. Yes, against in Israel,” Zamir said. “Anat was The trip was the family’s first to a higher- you are a woman. You are a surfer. You are an working very hard; I respect her very much tier, international event, but far from their Israeli. You are Jewish. You’re a lot of things. for what she did. And she has an amazing last. Anat continued to compete at home But the Olympics, it’s confirmation.” • family supporting her.” and abroad, and in 2019 she provisionally This article originally appeared on Alma.

31 A little horseplay for Israeli riders

By Gabrielle Abrams

srael’s first Olympic equestrian team will gear up for a trip to hair extensions to competitions that take her over six hours to put in. Tokyo this month. The team composed of Ashlee Bond, Elad The final member of the team is 43-year-old Elad Yaniv. Yaniv has Yaniv, and Danielle Waldman will compete without teammate had 944 starts and 26 wins in his long equestrian career. Yaniv first sat Daniel Bluman, who was barred from the Games this week. on a horse at the age of seven months with his father in Israel and at Colombian-born Bluman was told that he is unable to compete age six he began equestrian. At age 16 he took up equestrian jumping because his horse, Gemma, is listed as American rather than professionally, which included taking a job as a nurse and rider in a IIsraeli. Bluman requested assistance from the International Federation sales stall near Arnhem, . In addition to competing, Yaniv for Equestrian Sports (FEI) to correct this error but was denied, so also runs Elad Yaniv Showjumping stables in Willich, . • Bluman was replaced by Teddy Vlok, who will ride Amsterdam. The team, with Bluman, qualified for the Olympics in July 2019 with a win at the Olympic Jumping Qualifier at Maxima Park in Moscow. American-Israeli Bond is one of the members of the team who will continue to the Games in the coming weeks. The 36-year-old Bond is Christian, although her father is Jewish and was born in Haifa, and she became an Israeli citizen in 2018. Bond began competing at age six and won her first grand prix at age 16. Since then, Bond has won the 2009 CHIO Aachen, 2014 HITS $1 Million Grand Prix, and an FEI Nations Cup amongst other titles Fellow American-Israeli teammate Waldman grew up on the Upper East Side of New York. Waldman’s parents were nationally and world ranked professional squash players. Her riding career began at age six in the , but she only turned professional in 2012 when she was an Israeli citizen. Waldman has won many riding competitions, including the 2019 €300,000 LGCT Grand Prix of Berlin CSI 5. 36-year-old Waldman is known for wearing hundreds of colorful

32 A little horseplay for Israeli riders

charm for Richter?

ergey Richter will experienced and has some impressive By JOSHUA HALICKMAN be making his third achievements to date thanks to coaches appearance at the Guy Starik and Evgeny Aleynikov, from Olympic games this the Maccabi Ra’anana Shooting Club, of summer in Tokyo and which he is a member. the Israeli shooter hopes Richter surprised many when he won to make a big impact on the biggest stage a gold medal at the European Games in there is. 2019 in in the 10-Meter Air Rifle The 32-year old who was born in category after having taken home a top the Former , is extremely prize since the European Championships in 2013 in Odense. The resident has yet to achieve a place on the podium at the Olympics and perhaps this will be his time to rise to the occasion in Tokyo. Richter’s best finish was ninth place at the 2012 London Games, where he just nearly missed out on the finals by just a single point. At the previous Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, , Richter finished 14th out of 30 participants in the Men’s 10-Meter Air Rifle while taking 15th place in the Men’s 50-Meter Rifle Prone. An interesting fact about Richter is that he shares the world record with three others in the 10-Meter Meter Air Rifle category, which he was able to achieve while winning the 2009 ISSF World Cup. •

33 Omega sets alarm for postponed Tokyo Olympics

mega is proud to be the Terra Tokyo 2020 Limited Edition. Limited official timekeeper of the to 2020 units, the 41mm. steel Aqua Terra A tradition Olympic Games for more is a sublime tribute from Omega. The blue than 80 years, taking part in panel brushed with ceramic differs from other going back 28 Olympics! The company Aqua Terra models in that it contains a laser years as received this title thanks to engraving of the words “Tokyo 2020” as well as Obeing chosen years ago by the International a date window at 6 o’clock and rhodium-plated the official Olympic Committee to be represented at the hands and hour marks. The back of the watch Timekeeper * Games as timekeepers for the competitions. is made of sapphire crystal and also features a Limited edition Omega was also the one to record the blue engraving that designates it for the Tokyo outstanding achievements in the Paralympic 2020 Olympics, and through the glass you can watches Games, among them the youth teams as well. see the Omega 8900 mechanism. unveiled From start to finish – the company has set The watch comes with a blue rubber strap, for itself the goal of capturing every exciting which is attached to the body of the watch with moment and result of the Games. A great honor the help of polished brushed links, and also and no small challenge. comes with a replaceable metal strap. In 2019, in the best of traditions, Omega was The coronavirus and the extra watch that preparing for the release of a spectacular new came out in honor of the Tokyo Olympics, model for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Aqua this time 2021 Since 2020 and up to the present, the world has stared down the coronavirus pandemic, a stubborn and difficult struggle that disrupted mass events that were supposed to take place in 2020 and led to the postponement of the Olympics. This groundbreaking period in history will be remembered forever, among other things, by the two watches that came out, one in 2020 and the other recently unveiled for the Olympics to be held this year in July and which may be remembered as one that heralded the victory of the world’s struggle against Covid. As a sign of solidarity and to represent this special period in history, Omega has come out with another model! For the Tokyo Olympics, 2021 this time, the Seamaster Diver 300M – which is a salute to the Olympic Games – includes a game in special colors, with a blue bezel and a white dial. What sets the watch apart is the back of the watch is made of sapphire crystal with the Olympic Games stamp on it. The two spectacular watches released by Omega not only tell the story of the company as the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, but also mark a special period in history, during which humanity is fighting a global virus, which canceled the 2020 Olympic Games, and will turn the watches into something iconic and special, especially for watch lovers who appreciate the history behind the watch no less than the watch itself. Both models are available in Impress stores, the official importer of Omega Israel. •

34 Israel’s sailing

By JOSHUA HALICKMAN

aty Spychakov is the new and refreshing hope for a blue-and-white medal in Women’s Sailing this summer in Tokyo, Japan. The 21-year-old Israeli will be competing in the Women’s RS X category and will enter the Olympics with a lot of pressure and Kexpectations on her back after recently having won the silver medal at the 2021 World Championships in Cadiz, Spain. The Eilat native added that medal to the silver she had won at the 2020 European Championships in which was yet another major accomplishment especially at such a young age. Spychakov began surfing at 10 years old and added racing these years later which she learnt at the local Eilat Sailing Club. In 2013 she began amassing medals at youth events from to Japan as she continued to refine her skills in order to be in the position today to challenge for an Olympic medal in Tokyo. •

35 zbekistan-born Alexander back for Shatilov will represent Israel in men’s Artistic Gymnastics at this year’s Olympic Games. The 34-year-old has battled his fourth back from injury and illness to be healthy and ready to compete in Tokyo this summer for his fourth Games. Shatilov began gymnastics training at age Games five in under the influence of his mother, who was an acrobatics coach. He made Aliyah with his family in 2002 and has since represented Israel on the world stage. By Gabrielle Abrams Shatilov’s greatest accomplishments include reaching the finals at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics as well as a gold medal win at the European Championship in 2013. His 2012 performances in all-around, floor, pommels, and high bar are Israel’s best Olympic finishes in these events in history. Shatilov suffered various knee and ankle injuries in 2010, 2013 and 2017 that impacted his competitive opportunities. He also had a virus during the 2019 World Cup event in Baku, . However, the seasoned veteran told International Gymnast that he has no plans to stop competing. “Age absolutely does not bother me,” he said. “I feel that I can still improve my skills and that is why I continue my sports career.” Shatilov will be joined by teammate and Olympic newbie, Artem Dolgopyat. The floor-dominating duo hope to take Israel gymnastics to the next level. •

36 A rich Israeli

coach. She got Misha hooked on the By Gabrielle Abrams sport at a young age, as he would attend her practices. Misha started training seriously at 12 years old with his club eteran Olympian Misha Kfar Maccabiah. Svetlana now serves as Zilberman will return Misha’s individual coach, with Michael to the Tokyo Games working as the coach for the Israeli to represent Israel in national team. badminton. This will be Misha was the first Israeli badminton the 32-year-old’s third representative at the Games in 2012 Olympic Games following appearances where he placed 33rd in the singles in both 2012 and 2016. competition. He improved his standing Zilberman was born in Moscow, in the Summer Olympics in 2016, Russia, to a family with a strong athletic finishing in 14th overall. Misha has background. He made Aliyah with his also won gold medals in the Maccabi family in 1991 and quickly got involved Games in 2013 and 2017 in both singles in the badminton scene. Misha’s father, and mixed doubles with his mother as Michael, was a member of the Soviet his partner. At the European Games in national floor gymnastics team and later 2019 Misha competed in singles and became the assistant coach for the Soviet earned a bronze medal for Team Israel. national badminton team. Misha is now known as the face of Svetlana, Misha’s mother, also played Israeli badminton and wants to continue professional badminton, which was to influence the sport through coaching how she met her husband who was her after his career is over. •

37 Cycling toward Tokyo success

By Gabrielle Abrams mer Shapira is with the US team Cyclane Pro Cycling. looking to add an Shapira’s last two titles have been won Olympic medal to with Canyon-SRAM written across her her decorated list of chest, the team that she continues to ride cycling achievements. for throughout the year. As the 2017, 2018, Her 2020 title was confirmed in a race 2019, and 2020 Israeli national Israeli at Beit Guvrin between Jerusalem and Tel champion, Shapira became the first Aviv, which is known for its many climbs. woman to win four consecutive Israeli Shapira confirmed her spot in this titles. year’s Games with a 13th-place finish in the The 26-year-old has worked hard 2019 UCI Road World Championships to maintain this momentum during Women’s time trial in Yorkshire, United coronavirus when all of the races were Kingdom. Given that only one athlete can cancelled. represent each country in the Olympics, “I learned that I love to push my Shapira was moved up to eighth place. physical limits, even when it’s just myself Since the top 10 racers automatically that I’m competing with,” Shapira said. qualify, this promotion was enough for Shapira won her first national title in Shapira to punch her ticket to Tokyo. 2017 as a member of the Italian team Shapira will represent Israel in both the Guisfredi-Bianchi. Her second title was time trial and road race this month. •

38 takes aim at the prize

By Gabrielle Abrams srael’s first Olympic archer, Itay Shanny, will full uniform, including laced shoes, and stand at the compete this summer in Tokyo. foot of his hotel bed prior to competition visualizing The 22-year-old confirmed his spot in the the atmosphere that he would experience the following Games through an impressive performance day. These techniques were especially powerful during in the final qualifying tournament in Paris. Covid when there were less opportunities for physical Shanny placed 23rd out of 94 competitors in practice. the initial round and then went on to dominate in While Shanny will be the first Israeli archer to a series of knockout rounds. In his final win of the compete in the Olympics, his coach Guy Matzkin tournament, Shanny beat out Croatian archer Alen also met the Olympic quota for competing in the Remar, who placed seventh in the qualification round, London 2012 Games. However, Matzkin was unable to finish in the final eight and qualify for the Olympics. to compete because he did not meet an additional Shanny is known for his use of visualization, a Israeli benchmark that Shanny met this year. practice that is becoming more popular in the Shanny and Matzkin are helping Israel archery competitive archery community. Visualization level up and remain competitive on a larger scale. uses vividness and controllability to stimulate the Israel has won four international medals in the past experience of succeeding in competition, especially two years, compared to just one international junior in high pressure situations. Shanny would dress in his medal in 20 years prior to 2018. •

39 Artem the artist looks to make his mark

By JOSHUA HALICKMAN

rtem Dolgopyat will be representing he won a silver medal in the floor exercise at the World Israel in the upcoming Olympics in Championships held in Montreal, Canada. the discipline of artistic gymnastics. That same year saw him also win medals at the The 24-year-old was able to qualify Maccabiah Games with led him to medals in floor exercise for the Tokyo Games by winning a both in 2018 and 2019 at the European Championships. silver medal in the floor exercise at the At the 2020 European Championships held in Turkey, A2019 World Championships held in , Germany. Dolgopyat captured gold in the floor exercise and bronze Artem’s passion for gymnastics goes back to the tender in the as expectations were raised up a bar with the age of six when he first signed up to attend his local club chances of winning a medal in Tokyo closer to reality. in Dnirpo, Ukraine, as he followed in the footsteps of his Dolgopyat has proven over the last few years of father, who was a gymnast himself. In 2009, Dolgopyat’s competition that he is very capable of securing a spot family moved to Israel and settled in Tel Aviv, where he on the podium just like he has done in the past which quickly became a standout at the Maccabi sports club. gives him a relatively good chance to be one of the Dolgopyat continued to compete at the top youth pleasant surprises for Israel this coming summer in competitions and finally broke through in 2017 when Japan. •

40 soccer stars to watch

MANA 3 IWABUCHI (JAPAN)

A World Cup winner with CARLI LLOYD Japan in 2011, the 28-year- old former Bayern Munich (UNITED STATES) forward recently joined Arsenal but her focus will One of the all-time greats of the women’s game, first be on her role with the Lloyd will be 39 when the tournament begins and a “Nadeshiko.” late career revival of form has given her the chance 1 Iwabuchi has scored 34 goals of winning a third gold medal following success in 76 appearances for Japan in 2008 and 2012. and if the host nation is to The forward scored one of the most memorable enjoy medal success, it will goals in women’s soccer history with a spectacular need its experienced striker MOHAMED effort from the halfway line as part of a hat-trick to be in top form. inside the opening 16 minutes of the 2015 World SALAH Cup final win over Japan. Lloyd spent most of the successful 2019 World (EGYPT) 2 Cup campaign on the bench but she has come back from a 10-month layoff after knee surgery and is Not surprisingly, Egypt is desperate looking ready for Tokyo. to include the finest player to emerge from the Arab world as one of the three over-age players in its squad for Tokyo. A Champions League and Premier League winner with , the LUKAS NMECHA (GERMANY) 4 29-year-old’s participation is not yet secured, with talks continuing with The 22-year-old forward won the golden boot and scored the winner in the final of this his club. year’s UEFA Under-21 tournament and is key to German hopes at the Games. If he does get the all-clear, Group The Hamburg-born striker grew up in and has been part of Manchester City’s C opponents Spain, and academy system but spent last season on loan at Belgian club Anderlecht. Australia will have to contend with Nmecha, who can operate centrally or wide, represented England at age-group level until his deft touch, clever movement and, switching to Germany in March 2019. He made his debut against England. above all, his eye for goal.

GERSON (BRAZIL) When Flamengo won the 2019 Copa Libertadores and back-to-back Brazilian league titles in 2019 and 2020, the quick-thinking Gerson was the heart of a midfield packed with characters. 5 The quiet 24-year-old was perhaps the most underrated player at the Rio de Janeiro club, but his input was crucial in helping it to its greatest spell since Zico and Junior ruled the roost. Gerson, no relation to the 1970 World Cup legend, had returned to Flamengo after a disappointing spell in Italy with Roma and Fiorentina. He quickly found his feet again and his impressive displays over two highly successful years won him another chance to prove himself in Europe. He left Flamengo in June to sign for French club Olympique Marseille.

41 Making a splash

By JOSHUA HALICKMAN

family to , where she joined the local Maccabi sports club. In 2017, Gorbenko began attending the Wingate in Women’s swimming; the 100 Meter Institute in order to train and study at Freestyle, 100 Meter Backstroke, 100 the same time which allowed her to ne of the biggest Meter Breaststroke and the 200 Meter develop the skills needed to take her stories coming out Individual Medley. to the top of the sport. of the Israeli camp With that, Gorbenko will be the only Gorbenko began raking in the medals for the upcoming Israeli swimmer representing the blue- at youth tournaments including the Olympic Games in and-white flag in this year’s edition of Maccabiah games where she won a pair Tokyo this summer the Olympics in four different categories of golds while then capturing a silver Ois swimmer Anastasia Gorbenko. which is extremely impressive at such at the Summer Youth Festival. In 2018, At only 17 years of age, Gorbenko a young age. Gorbenko won gold again this time at was able to meet the Olympic criteria Gorbenko recently won a gold medal the Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos to punch her ticket to the Games which at the 2020 European Championship in Aires as she watched the Israeli flag is a huge accomplishment at such a the 200 Meter individual medley which raised from the top spot on the podium. young age. recently took place this past May in If Gorbenko trajectory continues at Gorbenko won’t be just going to . this rate, there is no question that she the Games to compete, but she will be Born in the northern Israeli city of will be making plenty of noise in the participating in four different categories Haifa, Gorbenko later moved with her pool for years to come. •

42 the Munich 11

n September 5, 1972, in the murder of the nine Israeli hostages. The failed rescue attempt, followed by at 4:30 a.m., eight The dream of all 11 Israeli sportsmen the murder of the Israeli delegation and Palestinian terrorists, was to take part in the Olympic Games; the line that was crossed that day by the members of the Black symbol of brotherhood, friendship, and brutal terrorist group, have redefined the September organization, peace. Sadly, brutal terror shattered their limits of fear and the scale of lives at risk forcefully entered the dream ain Munich. The security failure at such events. The Olympic Committee accommodation building of the Israeli in Germany is what led to today’s high of Israel has made it its motto to continue delegation in the Olympic Village at the standards of security, and Israel is one of the legacy of the 11 athletes who became Munich Olympic Games. the leading countries in the world in terms victims of terrorism. Two sportsmen were brutally murdered of its readiness to face terrorist threats at Since that tragic day Israeli athletes pledge and nine were taken hostage during the events with high media profiles. they will never forget. • initial attack. For almost 20 hours, the nine remaining Olympians were tied together and held hostage in the Olympic Village by terrorists armed with automatic weapons and hand-grenades. At the end of a day of intensely nerve- wrecking negotiations, the Palestinian terrorists demanded they and their Israeli hostages be flown to an Arab country. At around 10:30 p.m. the athletes and their captors were driven to a far corner of the Olympic Villages, where two helicopters waited and flew them to Fuerstenfeldbruck airport, near Munich. Attempts by German security forces to rescue the Israeli hostages at the airport utterly failed. Their incompetence resulted

43 ince the 2016 Rio Olympics, the gymnastics headlines Having won every all-around competition she has contested have been difficult to read as the sport convulsed over since 2013, Biles could be the surest thing there is to a gold medal stories of horrifying abuse of athletes and cover ups. lock in Tokyo. In that time, only one storyline has managed to "This is a person who has already left her mark on history," Russia's push back against the scandals and the sport will , the men's world all-around champion told Reuters. be counting on to do so again at the "The whole world is talking about her. STokyo Olympics. "We can just admire her performances and be proud of that." With Biles being one of the main attractions at the Tokyo Biles' Olympic resume includes five medals, four gold, from the Games, gymnastics officials will hope the 24-year-old American's 2016 Rio Games and every prediction is she could improve on that exploits can put a shine on a tarnished sport while the haul in Tokyo.

greatness set for ultimate test in Tokyo

International Olympic Committee and Japan organizers need She is the overwhelming favorite to defend her all-around title someone to light up the pandemic-battered extravaganza. and lead the U.S. to team gold. That is a lot of responsibility to put on a 4-foot, 8-inch (142 cm) There will be more opportunities on the four individual apparatus. athlete, no matter how broad and powerful her shoulders. If she did win a medal in each of those events, the American would But this may be the truest test of Biles' greatness – her ability to move into a tie for second on the all-time list of Olympic medals not just win medals but to do so in such a way that it allows people won by female gymnasts alongside 's Vera Caslavska to forget, even for a brief period, the turmoil and troubles that have with 11 and behind only the Soviet Union's on 18. engulfed both the sport and the Games. She needs three to move past as the most decorated By simple accounting Biles is already one of the all-time greats. U.S. gymnast while four would give her a combined 34 world Her 25 world championship medals, 19 of which are gold, are and Olympic medals that would surpass the record of 33 held by more than any other male or female gymnast. Russia's . She performs gravity-defying skills that no other gymnast can The Olympic stage is set for Biles but whether she will use it for come close to executing - and all pulled off with jaw-dropping more than winning medals is uncertain. power and grace. The American has spoken out about sexual abuse and supported Even Biles appears to have come to terms with her status as the the Black Lives Matter movement. And when the world's media get GOAT (Greatest OF All Time) as she competed at the US Gymnastic their opportunity in Tokyo, questions about the trauma inflicted Championships with a sequined goat stenciled onto her leotard. on hundreds of young gymnasts, including Biles, by former-Team She has been accorded the ultimate honor of having an element USA doctor will be inevitable. named after her – not just one but four (one on vault, one on "I don't know how any athlete prepares themselves to talk about and two on floor exercise). something so heavy, however, it is the situation we are in now," Biles was so far ahead of the pack at the recent US Gymnastics , Biles' team mate in Rio told Reuters. Championships that she did not even need to pull out her show "It is quite the job to multi-task and to have to deal with these stoppers like the double-pike vault – which she is the things and it makes things harder, however, it is who we are and only woman to land in competition – to secure a record seventh we what we are trained to do." • all-around title. (Reuters)

44 Game, 1 set, (JAPAN)

Four-time Grand Slam singles champion match Naomi Osaka is widely considered a favourite for gold as she makes her Olympic debut at her home Games and on her favourite surface - hard court. Osaka, who was named 2021 Laureus World Here are Sportswoman of the Year, has been praised five tennis for using her platform to raise awareness of issues such as police violence, racial injustice players and mental health. to watch out for at the Tokyo Olympics:

NOVAK DJOKOVIC 2 (SERBIA)

Novak Djokovic owns a number of men’s tennis records such as nine Australian Open titles and spending the most weeks ranked number on the ATP rankings. But the Serb will be searching for his maiden Olympic singles gold medal, the most notable prize still missing from his impressive collection. The Serbian great, who has won 19 Grand Slam titles, won a singles bronze in 2008 but missed a chance to win another at the 2012 London Games after being beaten by Juan Martin del Potro in the third-place playoff match. The Argentine has proved to be the Serb’s Olympic nemesis as four years later he beat Djokovic in the first round of the Rio Games.

IGA 3 ROGER ONS 5 SWIATEK FEDERER JABEUR () () (TUNISIA)

Poland’s Iga Swiatek had a Like Djokovic, 20-times Grand Tunisian trailblazer Ons Jabeur has breakthrough year in 2020, captivating Slam champion will be made a steady climb up the rankings audiences with her calm demeanour and aiming for his first Olympic singles since becoming the first Arab woman to aggressive all-court game on her way to gold, after a difficult 2020 in which reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal at last winning the French Open at the age of the Swiss underwent two knee year’s Australian Open and repeated 19 – the youngest player to do so since surgeries. the feat this month at Wimbledon. in 1992. Federer, who turns 40 on the final Now ranked in the top 30, Jabeur The daughter of an Olympic rower, day of the Tokyo Olympics, captured has won fans worldwide with her crafty Swiatek won a doubles gold at the 2018 a doubles gold at the 2008 Beijing brand of tennis, often confounding Youth Olympics and said she is targeting Games and took home a singles silver opponents with her deft touch and a medal in Tokyo. from London in 2012. 4 variety. 45 ou only need three letters to team to beat, selecting a 12-man roster from sum up Olympic basketball a finalist group of 57 NBA players including – “USA.” 16 former Olympians. If any gold medals are “Having a larger player pool than what we virtual slam dunks at the normally have is critical because of all of the Tokyo Games it will be the uncertainties we face about availability,” said US taking top spot on the podium in the men’s Jerry Colangelo, managing director of the and women’s hoops. USA Basketball men’s national team. The US women have dominated the Olympic While the US head to Tokyo with the usual Ending hardwood in a way few other teams in any swagger, there have been warning signs that sport at the Games ever have. these Olympics could be bumpier for it They have swept the last six gold medals following a seventh-place finish at the 2019 US reign and at the 2016 Rio Games underscored that FIBA World Cup its worst result in a major dominance, going unbeaten and thumping international competition. the opposition by an average margin of 37.2 France, which defeated the US in the at hoops points per game. quarterfinals, again look to be trouble with Since the International Olympic Committee a lineup led by NBA three-time defensive (IOC) opened the door to NBA players at the player of the year Rudy Gobert. dream in 1992 Barcelona Games, US “Dream Teams” World Cup champion Spain, regularly have won six of seven golds, the only blip among the medal contenders, having taken being a bronze at 2004 after a shock silver in 2008 and 2012 and bronze in 2016, Tokyo semi-final loss to Argentina. should again be in the hunt along with With a 138-5 record, there have been few Argentina, Australia and Serbia. threats to the US dynasty. Only three other There is no sign of any threat to the US teams have stood atop the men’s podium and women's reign. of that trio – the Soviet Union (2), Argentina The squad will be a mix of experience and (1) and Yugoslavia (1) - two are no longer youth led by guards Sue Bird and even countries. who will compete in their fifth Olympics. Since joining the Olympic programme in Joining them will be six first-time Olympians, 1936, the US men have won gold 15 times, including A'ja Wilson the WNBA's most next on the list is the former-Soviet Union valuable player in 2020. with two. If there is a challenge waiting for the US While every nation competing in Tokyo in Tokyo it could come from second-ranked will likely draw from the NBA talent pool, no Australia. other country can match the depth of talent Until Rio, the Opals had claimed a medal available to the United States. from every Games going back to the 1996 Even without all-stars like Los Angeles Olympics, including three consecutive Lakers LeBron James, who has decided to silvers (2000, 2004, 2008) after losing in the sit these Games out, the US will still be the finals to the Americans each time. •

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