Israeli Mountain Biker Aims for Olympics Amidst International Challenges
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Israeli mountain biker Talia Rolls Ish Shalom, 19, is training for the 2032 Olympics. She has faced both support and hostility abroad due to her nationality but remains motivated. Rolls Ish Shalom is preparing for the upcoming Israel Epic competition and aims to inspire more girls to join the sport.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Talia Rolls Ish Shalom, 19, is targeting the 2032 Olympics.
- She has experienced both support and hostility competing internationally.
- Rolls Ish Shalom aims to be the first Israeli female Olympic mountain biker.
- She is competing in the upcoming Israel Epic race.
- She encourages more girls to take up mountain biking.
Nineteen-year-old Talia Rolls Ish Shalom, a decorated Israeli mountain bike rider, is setting her sights on the 2032 Olympic Games. Rolls Ish Shalom holds multiple national titles, including champion of the Israel Epic competition for two consecutive years, and has achieved success in international events abroad. She discovered her passion for the sport in seventh grade after trying a mountain biking club and quickly excelled, becoming the Israeli marathon champion for ages 15-16 at just 14.
Rolls Ish Shalom competes in both cross-country, an Olympic discipline, and marathon events. Cross-country involves laps of technical terrain lasting about 90 minutes, while marathon races cover approximately 100 kilometers over three to four hours. She believes the 2032 Olympics are a realistic goal, aiming to be the first Israeli female mountain biker to compete on the Olympic stage and raise the sport's profile in the country.
Her international experience has exposed her to a range of reactions. While some abroad have been supportive, inquiring about the situation in Israel and her ability to compete during wartime, others have been hostile. Rolls Ish Shalom recounted incidents of spitting and derogatory remarks in Slovakia and the display of PLO flags in Spain. However, she stated that these negative experiences fuel her motivation rather than discourage her.
She is preparing for the upcoming Israel Epic competition, scheduled for October 14-17 in northern Israel, an event aimed at supporting the region's recovery post-war. Rolls Ish Shalom will compete in the mixed pairs marathon category with Chen Schreiber, her partner from previous wins. She also hopes to win the elite women's marathon championship, which was relocated this year to Kibbutz Be'eri, a community impacted by the October 7th attacks.
Rolls Ish Shalom also coaches young riders and is keen to encourage more girls to participate in mountain biking, which she feels is often perceived as a male-dominated sport. She aims to broaden its appeal and increase female involvement.