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PARIS, September 3, 2024 — Amid the backdrop of recent national tragedy, Israeli Paralympic athletes have emerged as beacons of resilience and pride at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
On Sunday, Shahar Milfelder and Saleh Shahin clinched a bronze medal in the PR2 mixed double sculls, marking a poignant moment of celebration intertwined with deep national sorrow.
Milfelder, 26, hailing from Moshav Beit Yitzchak in Israel, and Shahin, 41, a Druze Israeli injured in a 2005 terrorist attack, each achieved their first Paralympic medals. Milfelder, who battled a rare form of bone cancer as a teenager, expressed her mixed emotions following the victory.
“We had in mind to give pride to the country,” Milfelder told Israeli news site Mako. “I cried in the morning from the hard news and now I cry from the good news and send the biggest hug I can to the families of the abducted and to all the citizens of the State of Israel.”
The timing of their win is particularly significant, coming just as Israel confirmed the deaths of six newly identified hostages. The medal stands as a symbol of hope and strength during a period of profound grief for the nation.
Shahin echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the gravity of representing Israel amidst ongoing conflict. “It’s a great honor to represent my country, but it’s also a huge responsibility,” Shahin told the Jewish Chronicle before the Games.”
“I hope to do so in the most deserving and honorable way, especially in this difficult period after October 7. It is my goal to show the world how strong we are.”
Milfelder and Shahin’s bronze is among five medals Israel has secured since Friday, bringing the nation’s total to seven, including four golds.
Their achievement highlights a broader narrative of Israeli success at the Paralympics, underscored by personal and collective determination.
Medal Highlights and Achievements
The success of Milfelder and Shahin is part of a remarkable string of achievements for Israeli Paralympic athletes in Paris. On Saturday, swimmer Mark Malyar, a two-time gold medalist, added a bronze to his collection in the men’s 100-meter backstroke S8.
Malyar, 24, who was born with cerebral palsy, finished 1.84 seconds behind the Spanish gold medalist and just 0.39 seconds behind the Japanese silver medalist, demonstrating his continued prowess in the pool.
The following day, Ami Dadaon, 23, continued his impressive performance with a silver medal in the men’s 150-meter individual medley SM4, just seven and a half seconds behind the gold medalist from the Neutral Paralympic Athletes delegation.
This came two days after Dadaon set a Paralympic record in the men’s 100-meter freestyle S4 and earned gold. His achievements add to his impressive tally of six career Paralympic medals, including four golds.
In another significant victory, four-time Paralympic rower Moran Samuel secured her first-ever gold medal in the PR1 women’s single sculls.
Samuel, 42, who has been paralyzed from the waist down since a spinal stroke in 2006, completed her medal collection with this historic win, making it her third Paralympic medal.
Israel’s Growing Paralympic Success
Tuesday saw Dadaon further extend his Paralympic legacy by winning his third career medal and second gold in the men’s 200-meter freestyle S4.
His performance in this event, where he had set the world and Paralympic records at the Tokyo Games, underscores his dominance and consistency in swimming.
Israel’s Paralympic success in Paris also includes Asaf Yasur, who secured Israel’s first medal of the Games in taekwondo on August 29.
The accumulation of seven medals thus far matches Israel’s best-ever haul at the Paralympics, achieved during the Olympics last month.
A Nation United in Pride and Resilience
The achievements of Israeli athletes at the Paris Paralympics come during a challenging time for the nation.
The country is grappling with the aftermath of recent violence and the loss of hostages. The Paralympic victories serve as a testament to the strength and spirit of Israel’s athletes, who have shown immense resilience and dedication.
The Paralympic Games have provided a platform for these athletes to not only excel in their respective sports but also to bring a sense of pride and unity to a nation in need of hope.
Each medal won is not just a personal triumph but a symbol of collective endurance and the indomitable Israeli spirit.
As the Games continue, Israel’s Paralympians remain a source of inspiration and a reminder of the power of sport to uplift and unite people, even in the face of adversity.
The national pride generated by these achievements stands in stark contrast to the pain of recent events, reflecting the multifaceted nature of Israel’s current reality.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members