Last update - 00:00 08/08/2007
Who will bring back lucky number seven?
By Rami Hipsh
The 2008 Beijing Olympics open in exactly one year, and between now and then there will be a lot of talk about the changes being made to the city, the poor human rights situation, and about balancing the modern with the contemporary. Athletes who normally perform under the radar in sports that do not get a lot of exposure will become national treasures.
At the moment, it appears that it will be Gidi Kliger and Udi Gal's year. The windsurfing duo do not particularly enjoy the pressure, but they are currently the leading candidates to return from Beijing with a medal, despite not yet having officially qualified.
Medal-winners can be split up into three groups: those for whom not winning is considered a failure; those who are able to achieve something if they have a good day or favorable draw; and those that surpass and surprise against all expectations. Four out of Israel's six Olympics medals so far can be placed in the first group - Yael Arad's silver in 1992 at Barcelona, Michael Kolganov's bronze in 1996 at Sydney, and Gal Fridman's gold and Arik Ze'evi's bronze in 2004 at Athens.
A year before Beijing, the majority of Israel's athletes cannot be considered in the first group. Ze'evi is capable of capturing a medal on a good day, but he could also return home empty-handed. This is also the case for Shahar Peer, Nike Kornecki and Vered Bousklia, Israel's best hopes for its first women's medal since Arad. The Olympic Committee of Israel always says that Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich have a realistic chance at a medal, but so far their best showing remains a semifinal appearance at Wimbledon in 2003. It has become clear over the past year that Alex Averbukh will not clear six meters, but he has also proven to be a skilled tactician.
There always exists the possibility of a big surprise; for example, Fridman in Atlanta or Oren Smadja, whose burst out of Arad's shadow to win a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics. Maybe someone in judo or taekwondo; or possibly Niki Palli, Guy Barnea or the ageless Haile Satayin will surprise themselves, the Olympic Committee of Israel, and the world.
Before we can talk about miracles and surprises, though, we need a foundation. This foundation is currently built around Gal and Kliger, who disappointed three years ago but have since proven that they deserve to be considered as favorites, following two bronze medals at World Championships. Even though they will be competing at Qingdao, which is hundreds of kilometers from the Forbidden City, they are expected to carry on their backs the hopes of Israel's delegation to Beijing.