In Paris, Herzog tells Israeli athletes this year’s Olympics about ‘more than sport’
Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
President Isaac Herzog arrives in Paris and pays a visit to the Israeli delegation at the Olympic village, telling them that their presence at the games this year goes far beyond sports.
“Go in strength, show up, collect medals and achievements for the sake of Israeli sports,” Herzog tells the group, according to a statement from the Olympic Committee of Israel. “But this year, it’s about so much more than Israeli sport.”
Herzog points to the presence of head judo coach Oren Smadga, whose son, Omer, was killed fighting in Gaza last month: “The fact that Omer Smadga is here with us says everything. It causes us tears and great emotion. My dear Oren, you are an example to all of us, to the whole Israeli people.”
The president also tells the group that it’s possible “somewhere out there in Gaza, it could be that one of the hostages will see you for a second, and you will give them strength… this year we want to see the flag of Israel in every arena everywhere in the world.”
Herzog — the first Israeli leader to attend the Olympics since 2008 — is accompanied by his wife, Michal, Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar and the widows of two of the Israelis murdered at the 1972 Munich Olympics: Ilana Romano and Ankie Spitzer. The president is slated to attend tonight’s Israel-Mali soccer game, as well as a ceremony commemorating the 11 Israelis killed in the Palestinian terror attack on the 1972 Games, and will also be at the Olympics opening ceremony on Friday evening.
