Israeli Youth Compete in Inaugural African Youth Olympic Games
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Eleven Israeli youth athletes are competing in the first-ever Youth Olympic Games held in Africa, which began Saturday in Senegal. The delegation, consisting of six boys and five girls, is participating in eight sports and aims to increase Israel's medal count. The games feature approximately 2,700 athletes aged 14-17 and will conclude on November 13. The Israeli team is prepared for potential challenges, with some athletes already seeing action in judo and swimming.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Eleven Israeli youth athletes are competing in the first Youth Olympic Games held in Africa, starting Saturday in Senegal.
- The Israeli delegation includes six boys and five girls competing in judo, boxing, athletics, gymnastics, fencing, archery, swimming, and windsurfing.
- Approximately 2,700 athletes aged 14-17 are participating in the games, which run until November 13.
- Judoka Itamar Cohen and swimmer Ofir Shimha, both 17, carried the Israeli flag at the opening ceremony.
- A refugee youth team and a Russian delegation are also participating for the first time.
- The Israeli Olympic Committee is prepared for potential provocations from rival delegations.
The Youth Olympic Games, held for the first time in Africa, commenced in Senegal on Saturday and will continue for two weeks. Israel is represented by a delegation of 11 athletes, comprising six boys and five girls, competing across eight sports: judo, boxing, athletics, artistic gymnastics, fencing, archery, swimming, and windsurfing. They aim to add to Israel's existing tally of eight Olympic medals.
Approximately 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17 are participating in Dakar, Diamniadio, and the resort town of Saly. They will compete in 153 medal events across 25 sports until November 13. The CEO of the Olympic Committee, Adi Bichman, stated that the delegation is prepared for potential provocations from rival competitors and delegations.
On the first day of competition, judoka Itamar Cohen lost his opening match in the quarterfinals to a French opponent and will compete in the repechage round against an Argentinian. Swimmer Ofir Shimha qualified for the 200m backstroke final, placing second overall with a time of 2:18.18. Both Cohen and Shimha, both 17, had the honor of carrying the Israeli flag during the opening ceremony.
Other Israeli athletes in action include 16-year-old archer Yuval Raz and 17-year-old Nicole Golovnensky, who will compete in archery. Ofir Shimueli and Tomer Tirosh are set to compete in artistic gymnastics. The youngest member of the delegation, 14-year-old windsurfer Noa Bandet, will participate in her event. The boxing team features Arthur Protenevsky, while athletics is represented by Ido Noam and Ella Versano, and Mordechai Lachman will compete in fencing.
This year's games also mark the debut of the Youth Refugee Olympic team, consisting of six athletes from Kenya and Uganda. Additionally, a 13-athlete Russian delegation is competing under their national flag, the first time since Russia's suspension from Olympic events following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 2
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
