Jewish Athletes at the Olympics

Ready, Set, Go! The Olympics start today! And who doesn’t love watching the Olympics and cheering for their favorite athletes?

Jewish athletes have been participating in the Olympic Games and winning medals since 1896, and several Jewish athletes will represent the United States and Israel in Rio, beginning August 5th (today!). Israel has competitors in 16 sports and is scheduled to have 48 athletes participating — their largest-ever Israeli Olympics team.

American Jewish athlete Aly Raisman will go for the gold in Gymnastics, having won two gold medals in 2012. This year’s Games will feature Ilana Kratysh, the first Israeli woman to qualify to wrestle in the Olympics. L.A. native Donald Sanford, who made Aliyah several years ago and competed in 2012, will represent Israel in the 400-meter dash.

Between 1896 and 2014, Jewish athletes have won at least 345 medals.

For the history buff: In 1896, German Jewish gymnast Alfred Flatow won three gold medals but unfortunately later passed away at Theresienstadt concentration camp at the age of 73. British Jewish track star Harold Abrahams, the central focus of the movie Chariots of Fire, won a gold medal at the 1924 Olympics in Paris. In 1972, American Jewish swimmer Mark Spitz was the first athlete to win 7 gold medals in one Olympic Games.  American Jewish gymnast Kerri Strug thrilled the world during her final vault in 1996, landing perfectly on an injured ankle, which helped her team win the gold.

The 2016 Games run from Aug 5th-Aug 21st on NBC.  With just a five-hour time difference separating the U.S. from Brazil, we Angelenos can enjoy many of the events in real time! You’ll find the schedule and live feeds here: http://www.nbcolympics.com/

Whether they hear the words “Shalom,”  “Bem-vindo,” or “Welcome,” Jewish athletes are sure to do their best in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio! Good luck to all athletes everywhere!