President Rivlin farewells Israeli Olympians
President Reuven Rivlin gave his blessings to the Israeli Olympic and Paralympic delegations as they depart for Tokyo 2020.
Photo: Amos Ben Gershom (GPO)
The two delegations participated in the traditional reception, held yesterday at Beit HaNasi in Jerusalem. The Olympic Games were postponed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Olympic and Paralympic delegations, including sportsmen and women, trainers and team members, Minister of Sport and Culture Chili Tropper, chair of the Israeli Olympic Committee Yigal Carmi, chair of the Israeli Paralympic Committee Dr Shuki Dekel and two widows of the victims of the Munich Olympic massacre, Ilana Romano, wife of Yossef Romano ז”ל and Ankie Spitzer, wife of Andre Spitzer ז”ל participated in the event.
President Rivlin said: “Members of the Olympic and Paralympic delegations, over the last four years you have worked so hard to the moment that is approaching. You are the very few who have managed to get so high. To be the emissaries of our country at the greatest, oldest and most important of international sporting competitions. That fact is worth a thousand testimonies to the times when you didn’t give up on yourselves. To all the times that you pushed your ability, again and again, to the brink of pain, despite the tiredness, despite the exhaustion, despite the doubts that are always lurking in our hearts.
You prepared magnificently. Now, it’s your turn to reap the fruits and the glory. To go faster, higher, stronger, more beautifully. I see you here, ready but relaxed, prepared to face any challenge. We believe in you. We know you can do it.
You sportsmen and sportswomen, who represent the diversity of Israeli society, are testimony to the fact that the determination that courses through you crosses all sectors and groups. Your commitment, your energy and your constant aspiration to excel prove that you are the best people to represent the State of Israel in international sport and for that, I say Kol hakavod, way to go!
I would like to send special blessings to the Paralympic delegation. We all understand that sporting competition along with serious disability is far more demanding and challenging. You prove that with determination and hard work it is possible to reach amazing, incredible sporting success to beat barriers. For us, you are role models.”
