Israeli Court Orders Millions in Compensation to Injured Gymnasts Against Wingate and Sports Bodies
The Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court recently ruled in favor of two former Israeli national gymnasts who suffered shoulder injuries forcing them to retire from competitive sports. The plaintiffs, both aged 30, filed their lawsuit in March 2020 against the Israeli Gymnastics Association, Wingate Institute, and the Olympic Committee. They claimed these organizations prioritized team achievements and competition participation over their physical health.
The athletes reported persistent shoulder pain that was only treated with physiotherapy, without thorough medical examinations, until their conditions worsened due to intense training and lack of preventive care. They argued they never consented to such health risks and that negligence in health supervision caused them significant disabilities. The defendants contended that sports injuries are inherent risks in high-intensity gymnastics and that their cautious approach of physiotherapy before invasive tests was standard practice, denying negligence.
Judge Dr. Menachem (Mario) Klein rejected the defense's claim that the gymnasts knowingly accepted the risk of injury. He emphasized that athletes do not expect or accept harm as inevitable. Citing expert opinions linking the injuries to intense sports activity, the court held the defendants responsible. The judgment stressed society's duty to protect professional athletes from lifelong harm despite the importance of sports achievements.
Regarding damages, the court ordered the three defendants jointly and severally liable for one gymnast's injuries, while only the Gymnastics Association and Wingate Institute were liable for the other's. The first gymnast was found to have a permanent disability of 23.5%, and the second 19.25%. After retirement, one is set to start working at Apple with a starting salary of 40,000 shekels, and the other works in high-tech and sports commentary.
The court awarded approximately 1.12 million shekels to the first plaintiff and about 505,000 shekels to the second, plus legal fees totaling around 382,000 shekels. The ruling highlights the balance between pursuing sports excellence and safeguarding athletes' health from a young age.