Yael Arad, the first Israeli to win an Olympic medal when she won silver in judo at the 1992 Barcelona Games, was one of eight new members elected to the IOC during the organization’s session in Mumbai.
She said on Tuesday that she wanted to use her new role as a member of the International Olympic Committee to help “build bridges” as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies, but doubts remained over whether she would come to India as a result. of the conflict between Israel and the territory of Gaza, governed by Hamas.
“It has been very difficult,” Ms. Arad told reporters in Mumbai after her election. “I left home with 900 murdered friends, family and community members, innocent people. And now we already have 1400 victims of a Black Saturday from a horrific terrorist attack. “I can’t help but think of the 199 hostages who were kidnapped, four-month-old babies, four-year-old boys and girls.
“So my heart and thoughts go out to all the families who have lost loved ones, including my own. We lost cousins on both sides (of his family).
“In my neighborhood, it was very difficult. But I felt it was my duty to come here, to show the world that we are still here.
“For me, it’s a dream come true to serve here (at the IOC), to be part of these nations.
Ms. Arad, an athlete, then coach, businesswoman and sports administrator, explained how she visited hospitals as president of the Israeli Olympic Committee.
For his part, Olympic and world judo medalist Peter Paltchik told civilians in hospitals: “Every time we go on the mat or on the field and we compete, from now on, we do it for YOU “.
“And when you see our flag on the podium, you’ll know we did it on your behalf.
Ms. Arad, 56, who wore a black ribbon, said she had always tried to avoid partisanship during her career.
“I think everyone who knows me and anyone who is around me knows that I do everything without any religious or political point of view, always for humanity, always for the people,” she said.
“Unfortunately, our neighborhood in the Middle East is not always like this.
“Even though here in the Olympic arena I get a lot of hugs, including from my friends from the Arab world, and I really appreciate that. “We must learn the lesson that there are inhumane people in the world, terrorists and terrorist organizations.
“But this organization (the IOC) must show the world that through sport we build bridges and we give hope to many people, to many conflicts in the world.
“With sport we must always condemn, we must always remember that in the bridges we build we cannot allow terror.
Source : Al Monitor & Israël Valley
2023-10-20 00:03:40
#Yael #Arad #Israeli #member #International #Olympic #Committee
