Rhythmic gymnasts
Photo- http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/09/29/israeli-rhythmic-gymnastics-team-wins-silver-medal-in-turkey/rythmic/
Israel’s rhythmic gymnastics team took silver in the World Championship competition hosted by Turkey on September 28. The team is comprised of fifteen young teenagers who trained together for one year in hopes of dazzling the judges.
Leaders of the Israeli gymnastics association had contemplated pulling out of the competition for security reasons, but remained in the competition so that the team would be eligible for the Rio de Janeiro competition. Ira Vigdorchik, the team’s coach, said he believes the team has potential to win an Olympic medal, a prestigious award for a team from such a small country, and that the team should compete in every competition it can.
While Israel is not an athletic powerhouse, it certainly has contributed to the world of sports. This team is just one example of the many successful athletes Israel has produced. Maccabi Tel Aviv, the premier Israeli basketball team, has won six European League championships and has sent two players, Omri Casspi and Gal Mekel, to the NBA. Israel has competed in the World Cup as well as several other international sporting events. Gal Fridman, a windsurfer, won Gold in the 2004 Olympics.
Israel consists of only eight million people, so every successful Israeli brings pride to the country. The young Israeli gymnasts certainly brought pride to the small state and, more importantly, reminded us that there is a lot more to Israel than her ongoing battle against terrorism.
For more information, check out-
http://www.haaretz.com/mobile/.premium-1.618132?v=3A73FA5C54270D285AE5AF9CD01684BD
http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/4218/gal-mekel
http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3554/omri-casspi
http://www.marca.com/2014/05/19/en/more_sports/1400450456.html
http://www.jewishsports.net/BioPages/GalFridman.htm
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