Israel’s rhythmic gymnastics team won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, bringing the Jewish state’s overall medal haul to a record seven.
The previous Israeli record at the Olympics was four medals in Tokyo in 2021. The one gold, five silvers and one bronze at Paris brings the overall medal count to 20, all at the Summer Games, since 1992.
Placing fifth after the first event of Women’s Rhythmic Gymnastics Group All-Around at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena, the Israeli team—Shani Bakanov, 18, Adar Friedmann, 18, Romi Paritzki, 20, Ofir Shaham, 19, and Diana Svertsov, 19—rallied in the second event to secure silver with 68.850, nearly catching gold medal winner China (69.800). Italy got the bronze with 68.100.
Until Paris, the highest Israel had achieved in rhythmic gymnastics was three 6th-place finishes.
“You are fantastic. You have brought pride and honor to the State of Israel on a scale that is hard to describe. You have achieved a seventh medal, and that is simply thanks to your talent, effort and being together—and your being together with the country,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the team on Saturday evening.
“I would like to congratulate you. I am proud of you—the entire country is proud of you. You are simply an amazing team. Well done,” the premier said.
“I would also like to tell you that the performance was fascinating. We were riveted; my wife and I watched every second and you simply amazed everyone. To finish after China, how does one say, there is still something to aspire to, but not much. As far as I am concerned, you are worth gold, each one of you and all of you together,” he added.
The gymnasts thanked the premier, saying, “We are very proud to represent the country.”
Israel had two more opportunities for a medal on the final day of competition before Sunday night’s closing ceremony but fell out of medal contention in both events—runner Lonah Chemtai Salpeter finished in ninth place in the women’s marathon, and cyclist Mikhail Iakovlev was eliminated in the track cycling quarterfinals with a fifth-place finish.
