IN ASSOCIATION WITH
52 SPORT
22 JULY 2021
SPORTS WEEKLY SPECIAL
TOKYO 2020
Team Israel set for Tokyo Olympics
Israel’s Olympic bound baseball squad
BY DAVID SAFFER Team Israel has a 90-strong squad set to make its mark at the Tokyo Olympics. Israel’s biggest delegation, 47 competed in Rio in 2016, includes 55 men and 35 women across 15 sports and they have a number of medal prospects among 11,000 plus athletes competing for 339 different gold medals in a record 33 sports. Twelve months on from the scheduled summer games postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Israel makes its bow in surfing, archery and equestrian. They are also represented at baseball, one of five sports making its Olympic debut, the others
being karate, skateboard, sports climbing and surfing. The Paralympic Games is held two weeks after the start of the Olympics when 28 athletes have Olympic dreams. Israel is competing at its 17th summer games going back to Helsinki 1952 up to Rio four years ago. Israel boycotted the 1980 Moscow but any Olympics cannot be mentioned without recalling the 1972 Games when eight Black September Palestinian terrorists held hostage and murdered 11 Israeli athletes in Munich. The incident blighted the Games and all future Israel squads continue their legacy. Former President Reuven Rivlin was on
hand as Team Israel jetted off to Tokyo earlier this month. Among dignitaries at Rivlin’s Residence were Ilana Romano and Anki Spitzer, widows of Yossef Romano and Andre Spitzer, who were among those massacred almost five decades ago in an incident that shocked the world. Japanese Ambassador Koichi Mizushima, Igal Carmi, Israel Olympic Committee chairman and Yehoshua Dekel, National Paralympic Committee national president were also present to meet the Israeli delegation at a special ceremony. Rivlin told Olympic and Paralympic delegations they had been chosen as they
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were the “best of the best” to compete at the “greatest, oldest and most important of international sporting competitions”. Israel’s official uniform for the opening and closing ceremonies is inspired by the Star of David designed Israeli fashion house Castro as they have for the past six Olympics. When it comes to genuine medal prospects Sagi Muki is reigning Judo World Champion in the 81kg weight class. The Netanya athlete won the World Championships in Tokyo two years ago and is among the favourites for gold. This Olympics hosts the first Judo team event and Israel will participate.
