Just four days before the grand opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, the Israeli delegation took off for France after an emotional send-off at Ben Gurion Airport and a poignant press conference centered around the hostages. This year, the Israeli delegation features 88 athletes competing across 18 sports, making it the second-largest contingent after Tokyo's 90 representatives. Judoka Peter Paltchik and swimmer Andi Murez have been honored with the role of flag bearers for the opening ceremony set for Friday.
Notably, this delegation includes 18 players from the national soccer team, marking their first Olympic appearance since the Montreal Games in 1976. 2 View gallery Hostage mother Meirav Leshem Gonen embraces Oren Smadja ( Photo: Kobi Kuankas ) Following the record-breaking achievements at the Tokyo Olympics –which saw Israel secure two gold medals (gymnasts Artem Dolgopyat and Linoy Ashram) and two bronze medals (the Judo team and Taekwondo fighter Avishag Semberg) – the Olympic Committee is hopeful for a repeat performance and perhaps even greater success. The press conference kicked off with a heartfelt message from Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of Romi Gonen, who is held captive in Gaza.
"You are heading toward a major event. I also know that the environment you are entering will not be a welcoming one. I want to extend my strength to Oren Smadja, whose son Omer Smadja fell in Gaza.
An entire nation stands behind you. An entire nation travels with you to Paris, t.