Israel’s rhythmic gymnastics team achieved a remarkable feat by winning the silver medal in the all-around team competition at the Paris Olympics. Led by captain Romi Paritzki and consisting of Ofir Shaham, Diana Svertsov, Adar Friedmann, and Shani Bakanov, the team secured a combined score of 68.850, coming in second to China who took home the gold with a score of 69.800. Italy claimed the bronze in the competition.
This silver medal marks Israel’s seventh medal at the Paris Games, setting a record for the country’s most successful performance at a single Olympics. It is also Israel’s fifth silver medal. The rhythmic gymnastics team had previously reached the finals in 2008, 2016, and 2020, but this win marked their first-ever medal in the team competition. The achievement adds to Israel’s total of 20 Olympic medals, with four of them now earned in gymnastics.
Israel’s success in rhythmic gymnastics is not new, as the team had previously won gold medals at the 2023 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships and the 2022 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships. This recent victory at the Olympics further solidifies their dominance in the sport.
Member Adar Friedmann expressed the team’s elation after the win, describing it as an indescribable moment and the greatest achievement of their lives. The team had been eagerly awaiting this moment and was overjoyed to have succeeded together.
Gilad Lustig, the secretary general of Israel’s Olympic committee, highlighted the significance of the victory by drawing a connection to the date of Oct. 7, which marked a tragic event in Israeli history. He emphasized the team’s resilience and victory over adversity, symbolized by the seven medals won by Israel at the Paris Olympics.
This triumph not only showcases Israel’s prowess in rhythmic gymnastics but also serves as a testament to the team’s perseverance and determination in the face of challenges.