Israeli Athletes Push for Medals as Paris Olympics Enters Final Stages

As the Paris Olympics draw to a close, Israel's athletes are delivering impressive performances across a range of disciplines. In the spotlight is rhythmic gymnast Daria Atamanov, whose stellar routines have propelled her into the finals with strong scores across all events.

Atamanov, a rising star coached by Ayelet Zussman and 2020 Olympic gold medalist Linoy Ashram, excelled in the Individual All-Around Qualification. She scored 32.700 in the ball routine and 33.250 in the hoop routine, placing her 11th overall. Her impressive performances in the ribbon and clubs, with scores of 32.400 and 32.100, respectively, secured her a spot in the finals with a seventh-place ranking.

Reflecting on her achievements, Atamanov shared her excitement: "I was really excited the entire day from top to bottom, it was a lot of fun. I tried to do my maximum in each of my routines. Now I am going to focus on tomorrow and hopefully, I can do even better than I did today." Her coach Zussman echoed this sentiment, noting that Atamanov has exceeded expectations despite her lack of Olympic experience.

Atamanov's success is not isolated, as other Israeli athletes also showcase their talents. In Marseille, Gal Zukerman competed in the Women’s Kite event, while the Mixed Dinghy team of Nitai Hasson and Noa Lasry finished their races strongly. Although they did not reach the medal podium, their performances highlight the depth of Israel's sporting talent.

Matan Roditi, who narrowly missed a medal in the Tokyo Olympics, is poised to compete in the 10km Men’s Marathon Swimming event. Roditi, who qualified for Paris with a top-10 finish at the World Open Water Championships, aims to secure a spot on the podium this time around.

The Rhythmic Gymnastics Team, featuring Ofir Shaham, Diana Svertsov, Adar Friedmann, Romi Paritzki, and Shai Bakanov, is also in action, hoping to qualify for the Group All-Around Final. Having achieved significant success in recent years, including a victory at the European Cup in Baku and the World Championships in Valencia, the team is a strong contender for a medal in Paris.

The Artistic Swimming duo of Shelly Bobritsky and Ariel Nassee will be competing in the Duet Technical and Free Routines. Bobritsky, a seasoned Olympian, and Nassee, making her debut, have a history of success, including gold medals at the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup events in Spain and China.

On the marathon front, runners Maru Teferi, Girmaw Amare, and Gashau Ayale are set to compete, aiming to make history for Israel. This will be Teferi's third Olympics, Amare's second, and Ayale's first. The trio, who made Aliyah from Ethiopia, have already demonstrated their prowess by finishing in the top 10 at the European Athletic Championships in Rome.

Cyclist Mikhail Yakovlev continues to make strides in the Men’s Keirin event, building on his strong performance in the Sprint earlier in the week. The Keirin race, known for its intense sprints following a motor-paced start, is an exciting event that showcases Yakovlev's speed and strategy.

The Women’s Marathon, featuring Lonah Chemtai Salpeter and Maor Tayouri, will close out the Games on Sunday. Salpeter, who carried Israel's flag at the opening ceremony, enters her third Olympics with hopes of improving on past performances, while Tayouri aims to achieve new personal bests.

As the Games reach their final days, Israel's athletes continue to demonstrate their dedication and talent on the world stage. These Olympians are not only competing for medals but also representing the spirit and resilience of Israel. Celebrate their achievements by sharing this article or subscribing to our newsletter for more updates on Israel's inspiring journey in sports and beyond.