WATCH: ‘Hatkiva’ plays as Israel’s Tom Reuveny gets his gold medal; noting Gaza war, he says winning is ‘much bigger than me’
MARSEILLE, France — Israel’s Tom Reveny receives his gold in the men’s windsurfing at a ceremony on the beach in Marseille.
He says his success means far more than Olympic glory because of the war in Gaza, Israel’s Tom Reuveny says after his victory.
“My brother has been a combat soldier since the war began … it’s much bigger than me to win this event and it feels amazing,” Reuveny tells Reuters after coming ashore.
Reuveny’s gold followed a silver for his team mate Sharon Kantor, 21, in the women’s windsurfing, with the pair delivering Israel’s best Olympic sailing medals result.
“We are in a tough year and a tough position … in this situation to represent Israel is a big honor for everyone and we all understand our roles: to give a bit of joy,” says Eli Zuckerman, head coach of Israel’s Olympic sailing team.
Gold ???? Tom Reuveny!
HATIKVA – Israeli National Anthem.(He who raised the flag, you need to get a new job. You're suck at this one.)#StandWithIsrael #OlympicGamesParis2024#OlympicGames #Olympia2024 pic.twitter.com/Q8kcTREa6u
— Hen Papirman (@HenPapirman) August 3, 2024
“I’m very happy that we succeeded,” he tells Reuters, adding: “I think the athletes are also very happy and very proud to do it while our country is in such a complicated situation.”
Reuveny, 24, says he felt all of Israel was behind him in the run-up to the Games, which had helped him through. He thanks everyone for the many messages of support.
“It was so hard to go training while everyone else was crying over lost people, dead people. It’s been so hard and I still had to put my head down and keep training and its all for this moment,” says the visibly emotional sailor.
