Health Ministry to probe conditions for sports events
Tel Aviv residents organize protest against City Hall in wake of runner’s death in Friday’s half marathon
Ilan Ben Zion is an AFP reporter and a former news editor at The Times of Israel.
The Health Ministry on Sunday announced it would launch an investigation into the parameters for the holding of public sporting events following the death of a participant of the Tel Aviv half marathon on Friday.
Ministry director Dr. Ronny Gamzu will set up a team to investigate factors that may have contributed to the death of Michael Michaelovitch, 29, during the race. The panel will evaluate the appropriate dates, weather conditions, time of day and water points for holding such events in Israel. The panel’s findings are expected within three months.
Tel Aviv residents, meanwhile, took to social media to express their frustration with Mayor Ron Huldai over Michaelovitch’s death and scheduled a protest to be held in Rabin Square on Sunday night.
The organizers called on invitees to participate and “not let Huldai and City Hall dodge [responsibility] for the brand-sponsored screw-up,” referring to Gillette’s sponsorship of the race.
“We long ago have grown accustomed to the fact that our mayor, Mr. Ron Huldai, prefers luxury towers over ordinary people, ostentatious malls over small businesses, and long stretches of concrete over virgin beach fronts, but today a new record was broken,” the page read.
As of Sunday morning, approximately 300 Facebook users had confirmed attendance.
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