Tour de France Pays Tribute to Former Hostage Ofer Kalderon

Former Gaza hostage Ofer Kalderon stood in Paris on Sunday as an honored guest of Israel’s Premier Tech Pro Cycling Team during the final stage of the 2025 Tour de France. For Kalderon, a lifelong cycling enthusiast, the moment was overwhelming.

“I’m still in shock from this moment. I’ve never been to Paris, certainly not on a bicycle. Everything looks so big to me… so wide… so many people… everything is a lot. I’m so emotional to be here with the team,” Kalderon said. “But I’m also torn: this joy can’t be complete because, alongside all these emotions, it’s very hard to deal with what’s happening to me and to all the people of Israel, that we still have hostages in Gaza, our soldiers are there, and some are being killed. So nothing will be complete until they’re all back home. It’s time to end this story and bring everyone back.”

Kalderon, a 54-year-old French-Israeli father of four, spent 15 months in Hamas captivity after being abducted from his home on Kibbutz Nir Oz, along with two of his children. His children, Sahar (then 16) and Erez (then 12), were released as part of the November 2023 hostage deal, while Kalderon was freed in January 2025 under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Israel Premier Tech owner Sylvan Adams, who organized a global cycling event in 2024 to raise awareness for the hostages, called Kalderon’s presence a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle. “This is an incredible moment for Ofer and all of us, but this victory will not be complete until they all return home, now!” Adams said.

The emotional tribute at the Tour de France highlights not only Kalderon’s personal journey from captivity to freedom but also Israel’s enduring commitment to bring every hostage home.

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