אל על | אטמוספירה

Magazine I The Paris Paralympic Games

The sky’s the limit

The Paris Paralympic Games begin on August 28 th . EL AL has been chosen as the official carrier of the Israeli delegation which is composed of 25 athletes – 13 men and 12 women, including one Druze and three Muslim team members. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, the Israeli delegation won nine medals, six of them gold. This time, more than ever before, they’re hoping to come back home with even more medals and to hear the Tikva play on the podium / By Nava Marton

delegation to Paris, and we are excited and looking forward to seeing you on the court, honoring Israel, especially in these difficult times”, said EL AL CEO Dina Ben Tal Ganancia at the ceremony held last month to debut the delegation’s new uniform. Moshe Mutz Matalon, Israel Paralympic Committee chairman added: “you have been accompanying us for many years, and I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your ongoing support. To me, the connection between us is natural – an Israeli blue-and-white company flying the Israeli delegation to the games in Paris to represent paralympic sport and the entire nation of Israel. Our athletes are committed to giving their all to bring you and the entire nation moments of happiness, honor, and pride”. Against all odds The Israeli Paralympic Delegation to the Paris Paralympic Games The Israeli Paralympic team includes athletes from various disciplines. Some are already record-breaking competitors who have won Paralympic medals in previous Games. For others, the Paris Games are their first Paralympic experience. Each one is an inspiration - athletes who have demonstrated exceptional grit and determination. Here’s a short introduction to get know a few of them:

From the right: Lihi Ben David, Amit Hasdai, and Amir Levi Photo: Guy Kusi & Yariv Fein

The Paris Paralympic Games begin on August 28 th and end on September 8 th . 4,450 athletes from 180 countries will be competing in 22 sport disciplines. The Israeli Paralympic Delegation comprises (as of date of printing) 25 athletes - 13 men and 12 women, including one Druze and three Muslims, competing in ten different disciplines. This year, the Israel Paralympic Committee, together with the Israel Parasports

Association and the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, has also been supporting soldiers injured in the current war, by introducing them to the world of parasports. The head of the delegation, Dr. Ron Bolotin, is himself an IDF disabled veteran who was injured during his service. He became a paralympic swimmer and record-breaking athlete, winning 11 medals, three of them gold. EL AL is the delegation’s official carrier. “EL AL is proud to fly the

24 ATMOSPHERE AUGUST 2024