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Israel wins first gold in Tokyo Paralympic Games

Iyad Shalabi swam the 100-meter backstroke in 2:28.04, becoming the first Arab Israeli ever to win the top prize.

Iyad Shalabi in the pool, shortly after winning the gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke final. Credit: Isaacson Foundation.
Iyad Shalabi in the pool, shortly after winning the gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke final. Credit: Isaacson Foundation.

Israel’s Iyad Shalabi won the gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke in the S1 category at the Tokyo Paralympics on Wednesday, Israel’s first gold in these games and first ever for an Arab Israeli athlete.

Shalabi was born deaf and mute, and was left a paraplegic following an accident he suffered when he was 13. On Wednesday, he swam the 100 meters in 2:28.04.

Israel’s Culture and Sports Minister Yehiel Tropper congratulated the swimmer for his “enormous success” in a Facebook post.

“Congratulations to our Israeli swimmer Iyad Shalabit, who won Israel’s first gold medal at the Paralympic Games. Iyad is an inspiring person, whose life is full of victories. And today was another shining one ... We’re proud of you, Iyad!” he wrote.

The projectile from Lebanon wounded two men as Israeli rescue teams responded across the north.
“If the war continues on schedule, more or less six to eight weeks, then the U.S. has succeeded beyond the dreams of war planners,” he said. “People don’t appreciate just how great this war is going.”

Two suspects were arrested on suspicion of disseminating materials glorifying terrorism.
The raid follows Sunday’s attacks on Iran’s Defense and Intelligence ministries, the IRGC Air Force and Internal Security Forces.
“The disciplinary process before the Bureau is ongoing and remains confidential. No decisions have been taken, and no weight should be ⁠given to recent media speculation,” an internal ICC memo said.

At some point there will be a clear signal for the Iranian people “to come out,” Adm. Brad Cooper adds.