In an interview with Israel Hayom following the Israeli rhythmic gymnast's historic Olympic win, Linoy Ashram's coach Ayelet Zussman said, "It's really unbelievable because beyond the history we made with two gymnasts in the finals, it's history to be standing up there on the Olympic podium, it's beyond anything I could have imagined."

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As for her relationship with Ashram, Zussman said: "I am both a coach and a friend, and I both demand and embrace, and I get angry and give kisses. It depends on the situation, but my love for her is unconditional."

Asked what about Ashram made her an Olympic champion, Zussman said: "Her ambition, competitiveness. She works very hard. She's overcome injuries she's been dealing with for years. This wasn't someone who was an underdog. She's been winning medals since 2017."

As for Ashram's final ribbon performance, she said, "It's important for there to be something unique about each routine. The choice of music was precisely for this moment, and the choice of [the song] 'Hava Nagaila' was very important.

"She did everything so well on the path to [hearing the Israeli] national anthem [play in the Olympic arena], and I am so happy," she said.

Ashram's family members were clearly emotional in a phone call with the gymnast immediately after her historic win.

Her mother, Hedva, said: "You did it. I always believed in you.

In a reference to the legendary retired Romanian five-time Olympic gold medalist, she said, "I always said you would be Israel's Nadia Comaneci."

"Congratulations! We're so proud of you. All of us here, we're crying too," Ashram's father, Oren, informed her in their call.

Powerhouse rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram won the gold medal in the rhythmic gymnastics individual competition, ending Russia's decades-long dominance in the sport and bringing Israel its second Olympic gold medal.

Ashram, 22, edged out Russian twins Dina and Arina Averina, who were favorites going into Tokyo. Dina placed second and Arina fell to fourth place. Alina Harnasko of Belarus won the bronze medal.

Her nearly flawless performance included a club routine set to Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" and dancing with a ribbon to a techno remix of "Hava Nagila."

She is set to receive a 500,000 shekel ($155,380) grant from the Israeli Olympic Committee for her achievement.

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In March 2020, the global coronavirus pandemic made history of a different kind: it became the first non-conflict-related reason for suspending the Olympic Games, which were slated to be held in Tokyo from July 24 to Aug. 9, 2020.

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The last time the Olympic Games were canceled was during World War II. The 1940 Games were scheduled to be held in Japan, but it forfeited its rights in 1937 when it went to war with China. The Summer Olympics were initially relocated to Helsinki, Finland, with the Winter Games set to take place in the German town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but both were canceled following Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939.

Japan eventually hosted that 1964 Summer Olympics and on Sept. 7, 2013, Tokyo won its bid in the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires to again host the games.

Japan was all in, investing some $15.4 billion in staging the games.

And then came COVID-19.

Countries began informing the International Olympic Committee that they would not be sending their athletes to Japan in the midst of a pandemic, and the virus forced preparation to grind to a near-halt.

On March 24, 2020, the IOC, following consultations with the World Health Organization and the Japanese government, announced that it was postponing the games, now set to be held between July 23 and Aug. 8, 2021.

The move was essential "to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community," a joint statement by the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee and the IOC said.

While 2020 had come and gone, the global pandemic is very much still here: 2021 kicked off with a range of highly transmissible coronavirus mutations, prompting a fresh wave of lockdowns and travel restrictions. The future of the Games was one again clouded with uncertainty.

Moreover, public opinion polls held in Japan over the past few months show growing opposition to holding the Olympic Games, with as many at 80% of Japanese saying the world's biggest multi-sport event should be postponed again or canceled altogether.

The Games' fickle fortune has prompted some in Japan to think they are cursed.

Believers even include Japan's Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who said that the Tokyo Olympics appear to be blighted by world events every four decades.

"It's a problem that happens every 40 years – it's the cursed Olympics, and that's a fact," Aso told parliament after the Games were first postponed.

The IOC currently, however, insists that the Olympics will go ahead as planned, for the mere fact that "there is no Plan B."

IOC President Thomas Bach stated last month that the state of emergency declared in Tokyo over COVID-19 will not hinder the events, saying, "We have, at this moment, no reason whatsoever to believe that the Olympic Games in Tokyo will not open on July 23. …This is why there is no 'Plan B' and this is why we are fully committed to make these Games safe and successful."

'Final decision must be made by March'

Last year, International Olympic Committee delegate in Israel Alex Gilady was optimistic – certain, even – that events will take place as scheduled. This time around, he is very cautious when predicting the future of the Tokyo Games.

"I still have heartburn from the hat I ate last year," Gilady told Israel Hayom. "I hope this year I will be able to taste victory vis-à-vis all those who doubt that the Olympic Games can be held."

Gilady, 78, is a former journalist, TV sports commentator, and the former senior vice-president of NBC Sports. He is also the founder and president of Keshet Broadcasting, which operates Channel 12, Israel's largest commercial television outlet. He joined the IOC in 1994.

Q: IOC Chair Thomas Bach recently admitted that "there is no 'Plan B' for the Games. Hasn't the IOC learned its lesson?

"He's right – there is no Plan B. the games will either be held or canceled altogether, which means the next Olympics will be held in Paris in 2024.

"I keep hearing and reading about esoteric plans to hold the games elsewhere, but that's not going to happen. As for the theory that the Games [if canceled] will return to Tokyo down the line – who knows?"

Q: The Times reports that public opinion in Japan has turned against the Olympic Games, and that low national morale could bring about their cancelation.

"All I can say is that it's a shame that such a serious newspaper quoted unnamed sources [as making the claim] so we can't confront them and respond properly.

"The Japanese government wants to hold the Tokyo Games as scheduled and it is sparing no effort to make sure that the summer games are held – in accordance with coronavirus restrictions.

Q: The IOC said it will make its final decision in March. There is no way to know where this is going before that?

"We are working on protocols related to the preparations for the Olympics. We take into account that a decision has to happen in March because if you want to travel with your child to Tokyo to see the Games, you can't wait until the last minute to plan the trip," he explained.

"Will spectators even be allowed to attend? I can't give you a definite answer at this time.  I doubt anyone in the world can."

Q: What about the athletes traveling to the Games? This is shaping out to be a very different Olympics.

"Yes, it is. The Olympic village will be smaller, athletes won't be able to move freely and most will stay at the Olympic village for a very short time. They will arrive shortly before their competitions and won't stay long after that. They will also undergo extensive [COVID] testing before, during and after their stay in Tokyo."

Gilady rejected the notion that Western media outlets are not exactly rushing to send crews to cover the Games in Asia.

"The number journalists on the waiting list for approval to cover the games is enormous – it exceeds that number [of press passes] we can provide," he asserts.

"There is a sense in the global media that this event will mark humanity's triumph over the virus, and everyone wants to be there when that happens because they believe it's about to happen, despite some media reports to the contrary."

Q: Will this be your last summer Olympics?

"The members of the International Olympic Committee retire from office at the age of 80 – that's another two years for me. At the same time, this week I had a meeting about Paris 2024 and I continue to work as usual.

"Is this the end for me on the International Olympic Committee? There are many options to continue, as an honorary member, voluntarily – if they want me, of course. But I'm certainly working on Paris Games, and there are more winter games in Beijing before that."

Q: Any thoughts about your successor? Guaranteeing one seems like a difficult task.

"It is a very difficult task indeed, but I think it's an important matter. It has been proven throughout the years that representing our interests in all various [international] institutions is extremely important, especially in view of the challenges we are facing on the international level in the post-Corona years.

"It's also important to me to know that someone will be able to represent us faithfully even after it's time for me to retire."

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The rides are part of a project called Courage in Motion, which has been active for the past 12 years. It was launched by Beit Halochem Canada, Aid to Disabled Veterans of Israel, a branch of the Zahal [IDF] Disabled Veterans Organization. Every year, a group of 100 Canadian and American Jews visit Israel for a week of tough riding "for our soldiers."

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They meet the wounded warriors, listen to their tales of battle, and experience Israel with their legs and feet.

Amit Hasdai is one of the standout Israeli cyclists. In 2001, he sustained serious wounds to his neck in a shooting in Qalqilya, which left half of his lower body paralyzed. That doesn't stop him from riding seven days a week, competitively. He has his eyes on competing in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

On Saturdays, Hasdai says, his wife, Galit, and his children join him for training.

"I couldn't do it without them," he says.

Hasdai, who uses a handcycle, enjoys every minute of his riding. Often, he leaves the North American visitors behind.

His next goal is the Olympics. He still doesn't know whether he will join the Israeli delegation to the Paralympics, but he is doing everything he can to make that dream a reality.

"There's a chance I'll make it to Tokyo, and right now I'm training for it seven days a week. Every time, we ride for kilometers," he says.

While riding, and after the rides are over, Hasdai and his friends tell the visitors what they experienced.

"I recommend that other wounded IDF vets join the rides. Riding helps you deal with the wounds, and gives you confidence. You are in a place that you could never have gotten to. Each time, you try and go beyond the limits," he says.

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An estimated 85 athletes will be competing in 18 sports on behalf of the Jewish state. Vered Buskila, vice president of the Olympic Committee of Israel, told the news site NoCamels, "This is a crazy number by Israeli standards. That's something that we never thought could happen in the near future."

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Buskila explained that more athletes have yet to qualify including those in sports such as track and field and swimming.

This year Israel's baseball team made it to the Olympics for the first time in its history after beating South Africa 11-1 in a qualifying tournament, which added another 24 athletes to the Israeli delegation.

"This is the ultimate dream come true," said Peter Kurz, Israel Association of Baseball president and general manager of Team Israel, in a statement on the IAB website. "It was almost too impossible to imagine but with the astounding performances of a dedicated team that always believed in itself."

Israeli athletes have also qualified to compete in equestrian show jumping, shooting and rhythmic gymnastics, among other sports. The Olympic Committee of Israel is aiming to have 10 athletes in the finals, Buskila explained.

"In Rio, we had five. We want to double it," she said. "We aim to win two medals. We never had more than two medals at the same Olympic Games, so maybe this will be our year."

"If we can have the best army in the world and the best high-tech in the world, why can't we have the best athletes?"

Israel has won a total of nine Olympic medals since its debut in 1952 in the Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

The post Israel to send biggest delegation ever to 2020 Olympics appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

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Sunday's match ended with a score of 11-1 in Israel's favor.

On its way to the historic milestone, Israel played against Italy and the Czech Republic in a tournament that reached its peak over the weekend, with Israel almost eliminated Friday.

Ultimately, though, Israel managed to get a ticket to Tokyo after winning 5 out of 6 games in the tournament.

Israel is the only country so far that has managed to win a spot at the Summer Games in this field. Japan, as the host, automatically qualified.

Only five other national baseball teams will get to compete for a medal in the summer games.

The Israeli baseball squad comprises mostly American Jews who already play in leagues in the United States.

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