Israeli gymnast Artem Dolgopyat makes history with 1st Gold at Tokyo 2020 Games
Israeli artistic gymnast Artem Dolgopyat made history Sunday when he became the first Israeli to win a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 games and the first Israeli to win a medal in the Men’s Floor Exercise.
Artem Dolgopyat
The Hatikva national anthem was played in the gymnastics arena in Tokyo and the flag of Israel flew high as Dolgopyat received the medal.
Dolgopyat, a 24-year-old Ukrainian-born Israeli artistic gymnast, won the gold with a 14.933 score in the men’s floor final, the second Israeli to do so in history after Gal Fridman won the gold in the Olympic Windsurfing Discipline of Sailing during the Athens games in 2004.
“Artem you are a champion, you made history today! The State of Israel is proud of you!” tweeted Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
“Thank you Artem! You have made blue-and-white history!” stated Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. “This is a source of enormous pride and great excitement for the entire people of Israel.”
Dolgopyat’s outstanding achievement comes after Israel’s mixed team in judo won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.
Avishag Semberg’s taekwondo bronze medal in the women’s 49kg category last week was Israel’s first medal at the Tokyo 2021 games.
The Jewish state is now closely following the Israeli baseball team which recorded a historic debut victory at the Tokyo Olympics by beating Mexico and has so far secured a chance for a medal.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said : “Thank you Artem! You have made blue-and-white history!
Congratulations to Artem Dolgopyat for winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics; this is a source of enormous pride and great excitement for the entire people of Israel.
Hatikva has been played in the gymnastics arena in Tokyo and the flag of Israel is flying high.”
Cabinet meeting interrupted for PM to talk with Artem Dolgopyat Photo:Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stopped the weekly Cabinet meeting and – in the presence of his fellow ministers – called Olympic champion Artem Dolgopyat to congratulate him on winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Prime Minister Bennett: “Artem, congratulations! Well done. You made history and have brought us enormous pride. How do you feel?”
Artem Dolgopyat: “I am very satisfied that I have realized my dream and represented the State of Israel with honour. I would like to thank everyone who was with me at that moment. This warms the heart.”
Prime Minister Bennett: “You have made great history here. We stopped the Cabinet meeting in the middle to congratulate you because you have brought this enormous news. On behalf of the Government of Israel and the citizens of
Congratulations to Artem!!!!
Well DONE!!!!
You have made Israel and supporters of that beautiful Country Very Proud!!!