Israeli President Isaac Herzog met on Sunday at his official residence in Jerusalem with Israel-Premier Tech owner Sylvan Adams ahead of the team’s participation in the Tour de France.
“Especially now, we must stand on every stage, in every competition and on every track, and give everything we have,” said Herzog.
He thanked Adams for his leadership in Israel advocacy and sport, adding: “You are showing the world the beautiful face of Israel on and off the track, and you are doing so at a critical time. So, for this year’s Tour de France, as in previous years, we wish you ‘Bonne chance!'”
Adams presented Herzog with an official IPT jersey for the race, which begins on Saturday in Florence, Italy.
“President Herzog recognizes the importance of the presence of IPT at the Tour, with the word ‘Israel’ proudly displayed on the team jersey in front of 15 million live spectators in France, and over 2 billion TV viewers,” said Adams.
During their meeting, Adams and Herzog discussed the unique opportunity the Tour de France provides to promote a positive image of Israel.
“Our team in the Tour de France will be reaching the people that I refer to as the silent majority, apolitical sports fans, who will appreciate the message of peace and sportsmanship that IPT brings to our races,” Adams explained. “This provides a necessary positive exposure for our nation during this difficult year.”
The conversation also touched on Israel’s growing success in the cycling world.
“Additionally, we discussed the success of Israel as an emerging cycling nation, with our country sending four cyclists to the Olympic Games in Paris, the largest Israeli contingent,” Adams continued.
The four cyclists representing Israel at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which start on June 26, are IPT rider Itamar Einhorn in the men’s road category, Rotem Gafinovitz in the women’s road category, Mikhail Yakovlev in the men’s track category and Tomer Zaltsman in the men’s mountain biking category.
Team IPT will make its fifth Tour de France start, having recorded three victories in the race’s stages over the past two years.
