Olympic gold medal winner Linoy Ashram expected to announce retirement

Israeli gymnast Linoy Ashram, who won a gold medal at last year’s Olympics, is expected to announce her retirement at an upcoming press conference, Hebrew media reported Thursday.

Ashram, one of the most decorated athletes in Israel’s history, will officially make the announcement at a press conference in early April, according to the reports.

“Linoy Ashram is an exemplar of Israeli sports who achieved unappreciated accomplishments,” Culture and Sports Minister Chili Tropper said. “Linoy leaves Israeli sports with a magnificent career and mainly as a model for young girls who play sports and see her as an inspiring figure.”

He also praised Ashram for “remaining modest and moral even after reaching the peak of sporting accomplishments.”

There was no confirmation of the expected announcement from Ashram. When asked in August if she planed to defend her title at the 2024 Olympic Games, she said, “no decisions have been made yet.”

“I am first of all experiencing this moment, enjoying the result and the hard work I have put in over the last five years,” she said at the time.

Israeli gymnast Linoy Ashram performs during the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on Saturday, August 7, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP/Ashley Landis)

Ashram, 22, won the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around event at the 2020 Tokyo Games, making her the first Israeli woman to receive an Olympic gold medal.

She has been competing in international contests since 2014 and has 92 medals from various international competitions under her belt.

According to the Ynet news site, Ashram has been offered a coaching position on the Israeli national team by the Israeli Gymnastics Federation when she retires.