Tokyo here we come! Special Supplement - The Jerusalem Post
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Tok yo here we come! Special Supplement
ISRAEL'S DELEGATION TO TOKYO
(updated as of July 11, 2020 and listed alphabetically by sport)
89 competitors (54 men and 35 women) in 15 sports
Archery Gymnastics
Itay Shanny – Men’s Individual Artistic
Men’s All-Around
Artistic Swimming Artem Dolgopyat
Eden Blecher and Shelly Bobritsky – Duet Alexander Shatilov
Women’s All-Around
Athletics Lihie Raz
• Men’s Marathon Rhythmic
Haimro Alame
Girmaw Amare
Marhu Teferi
Women’s Individual
Linoy Ashram
Nicol Zelikman
Feed the
Light: Let the
• Women’s 100m Israel National Team
Diana Vaisman Yuliana Telegin
• Women’s 3000m steeplechase Yana Kramarenko
Olympic spirit
Adva Cohen Ofir Dayan
• Women’s 5,000m and 10,000m Natalie Raits
Selamawit Dagnachew Karin Vexman
move you
Lonah Chemtai Salpeter
• Women’s Marathon
E
Judo
Maor Tiyouri
Men
• Women’s Triple Jump
Flag bearer Hanna Knyazyeva-Minenko
Baruch Shmailov -66 kg xcitement is building for the Olympics, which
Tohar Butbul -73 kg
Sagi Muki -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 Peter Paltchik -100 kg athletes. We have our country, our heritage in
Ori Sasson +100 kg common; it's only natural to cheer them on.
Baseball Women No fans from foreign soil will be allowed at
National Team Shira Rishony -48 kg
the Tokyo Games, a measure necessitated by the continuing
Pitchers Gili Cohen -52 kg
Timna Nelson-Levy -57 threat of the coronavirus.
Jeremy Bleich
Jonathan de Marte Gili Sharir -63 kg That's OK. In fact, in some ways, it might be a good thing.
Jake Fishman Inbar Lanir -78 kg Sometimes, in our patriotic fervor, we forget to simply
Alex Katz Raz Hershko +78 kg appreciate the beauty and excellence of the competitions
Jared Lakind and the achievements of the athletes.
Alon Leichman Sailing
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 closer together, to increase our
Joey Wagman 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
Josh Zeid Shooting
Catchers 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
Ryan Lavarnway Surfing 33 sports at the Summer Games will represent your country
Nick Rickles Anat Lelior – Women’s Shortboard of origin, residence and/or citizenship.
Infielders Through media covering the Games, we'll learn of
Scott Burcham Swimming
Mitch Glasser the extraordinary lives led by these athletes. Many have
Men
Ty Kelly 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 Valencia
Outfielders
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.
Blake Gailen
200m individual medley Salute those triumphs, on the field of play and off of it,
Assaf Lowengart
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), Reuters (Cover, 8, 10, 12, 16-
Ashlee Bond (riding Donatello) Taekwondo
Avishag Semberg – Women’s -49kg 17, 26-27, 33, 35-38, 40--41, 43-47) and Courtesy.
Alberto Michán (riding Cosa Nostra)
Teddy Vlock (riding Amsterdam) 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
W
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
out 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 Yossef Romano
As Rivlin was handing over the reins to and Andre Spitzer, 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 Munich 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 Paralympic Games 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 Moscow 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?
That’s the big question as Israel prepares to
send its largest-ever Olympic delegation of
2. The medals we’ve won
Israel has won nine Summer Olympics
medals: Yael Arad (silver, judo, 1992), Oren
89 athletes to the 2020 Summer Olympics. Smadja (bronze, judo, 1992); Gal Fridman
Here are some fun facts about Israel’s (bronze, sailing, 1996); Michael Kolganov
participation in the world’s ultimate sports (bronze, canoeing, 2000); Ariel Ze’evi (bronze,
festival: judo, 2004), Gal Fridman (gold, sailing, 2004);
5.
Shahar Zubari (bronze, sailing, 2008), Yarden Collector’s item
1. This is Israel’s
17th Summer Olympics
Israel has participated in every Summer
Gerbi (bronze, judo, 2016) and Ori Sasson
(bronze, judo, 2016).
Three postage stamps were issued by
the Israel Stamp Service in celebration of
the Tokyo Olympics. Designed by Baruch
Olympics between the Helsinki Games in
3. New sports
This year, Israeli Olympians will
compete for the first time in baseball, archery,
Na’a, each stamp features one Olympic sport:
swimming, horseback riding and gymnastics.
The athletes are drawn in between two blue
surfing and equestrian. wavy lines to symbolize the national flag.
4. A family affair
The delegation includes a married
couple. Maru Teferi and Selamawit
6. Star of David inspiration
Israel’s official uniform for the opening
and closing ceremonies – T-shirts, chino
Dagnachew Teferi are Olympic runners shorts and pants and a transparent nylon
originally from Ethiopia. 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 fashion
competing for Team Israel as triathlon house Castro. •
athletes. (Israel21c)
T
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 Olympic Games, similar
Israeli 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. •
6
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 Tel Aviv 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 Netanya, “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.”
Japan. 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; people.” 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 Iran? 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 France I could barely here him
that resulted in his top rival, Iranian Saied Mollaei before making Aliyah 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 basketball, 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 Rio de Janeiro 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, Miss Israel, 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 European Games 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 television 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.” •
10Judo
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
legitimate chance to capture a medal and perhaps even take podium in Tokyo.
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.
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 pandemic. The Jerusalem 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
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.
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
possible to go out with a bang. won medals at various tournaments this past year. Both are 30-years
One Israeli Judoka who hasn’t been slowed down by COBID-19 old and will each be making their second Olympic appearances in
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
who was born in the Ukraine, immigrated to Israel with his family at Olympic debuts having had much success at the youth levels of the
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
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
years, capturing three gold medals in 2020 while winning a silver year at the Antalya Grand Slam.
and bronze just ahead of the Olympics. The Tokyo Olympics will also host the first Judo team event in
Other men’s hopefuls include Tohar Butbul, Baruch Smailov and which Israel’s men’s and women’s teams will participate. •
12“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
BeDS for
Member of the Medical Staff on the Israeli Olympic Delegation to Tokyo
Now in All Branches
www.swisssystem.co.il | 1-800-70-70-80 the SmArt Set!
Come see the next smart thing
Only NIS 23,200
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 AdumimWe
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
Always brand survey, women who parents want to reduce the gaps
believe
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
important social traits and skills reality is when these gaps begin.
in you,
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
Always
(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
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.
by Naama Giladi, VP of 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
I
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,
believing 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
14A 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
T
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 hit 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 Youth Olympic Games in China 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
at 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 Austria.
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 Neta Rivkin 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 Sofia, Bulgaria, Brno, Czech Republic 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 Eilat, Tashkent
in time over the last number of years as she old. Since then she’s just been unstoppable as and Ljubljana.
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, Italy.
16Ashram 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 Russia, 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 World Cup 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 rhythmic gymnastics. and make her mark she did. Gold in Clubs
World Cup which was yet another sign of things At the European Championships in Kyiv, 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 Alina Harnasko 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 Baku 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. •
17Herbalife powers
Israeli Olympians
F
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
course 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,
efforts and financial resources
possible.”
Herbalife’s full range of quality
financial sponsor,
needed to train for their sports sports nutrition products is backed global nutrition
at the highest level.
Sponsors come in all forms, and
by science and used by hundreds
of its sponsored athletes around
giant provides
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 check 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
18very 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,
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
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 Ramat Gan 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
19The 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.
2. Not knowing when to
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:
1. Eating all proteins, no carbs.
Many athletes make the mistake of
thinking that they should only eat protein
20they 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 Paris 2024
activities, it will always work in and Los Angeles 2028, as well as
3. Not timing their workout
supplements correctly.
our favor. Another thing that
strengthened us is the business
the Winter Olympics even though
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 Cristiano Ronaldo 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,
21Israel Baseball’s
“W
e c an d o 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
confidently four consecutive tournaments and shocking the
for the told Israel 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
off.
these six teams will participate in an advanced
playoff process that quickly leads to the medal
white is Catcher Tal Erel flashed his good-natured smile round.
one of just during an interview with local Israeli press and
said, “The next time you see us, we’ll hopefully
How will the baseball competition work in
Tokyo?
six teams have something to show.”
The baseball competition begins with a Group
who will Both Kurz and Erel were referring to the same
Stage: the six teams are divided into two groups
goal: capturing Israel’s first-ever Olympic medal
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.
Group assignment was determined according
a two-week tune-up in the USA, where it trained
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.
within The first exhibition game, on Sunday July
Israel (WR 24) begins its medal quest in group
B, which includes Korea (WR 3 and the 2008
reach 11, took place at the New York Mets’ minor
defending Olympic gold medalist) and the USA
league stadium at Coney Island, 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
22You can also read
