By JNS

Israel won 10 medals, including four gold, at the 2024 Paris Paralympics which concluded on Sunday, in its best showing at the Games in two decades.

The competition followed the record-breaking seven Olympic medals awarded to Israeli athletes in Paris this summer.

Israel’s medal total at the Paralympics topped its performance at the Tokyo Games three years ago, when the delegation brought home nine medals, and marks Israel’s best showing since 2004, when it won 13 medals at the Athens Paralympics.

Israeli swimmer Ami Dadaon won four of the 10 medals in the French capital.

Israel also made history with its first Paralympic medals in both taekwondo and goalball—its first medal in a team sport in 36 years.

Both games were held against the backdrop of the 11-month war against Hamas in Gaza, and the heavily-guarded Israeli teams faced both threats and boycotts.

The news from France lifted spirits in Israel as the nation girded for a possible Iranian and Hezbollah attack this summer, and as the plight of the hostages held in Gaza weighed heavily on the Jewish state.

The post Israel breaks 20-year record with 10 Paralympic medals appeared first on World Israel News.

‘I was able to represent the people of Israel. I have no words to describe this feeling,’ said Dadaon.

By Miri Weissman, JNS

El himno nacional de *Israel*Hatikva*, *Ami Omer Dadaon* , quien ganó el oro en los *Juegos Paralímpicos de París* pic.twitter.com/mRzurxZSsP

— Modestamente liberal. (@FundamentosROU) August 30, 2024

Israeli Paralympian Ami Omer Dadaon on Friday finished first in the men’s 100m freestyle at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France.

The victory marks Israel’s second gold medal at the current games and brings the nation’s total Paralympic medal count to 385, as reported by i24NEWS.

Dadaon finished with a time of 1:20.25, winning the final of the 100-meter freestyle in the S4 category.

In an earlier heat, he broke a Paralympic record with a time of 1:19.33.

Reflecting on his mindset during the race, Dadaon shared, “When I’m in the water, I don’t think about anything, only the race.”

Responding to the win, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted, “Ami, you are the pride of the State of Israel!”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1829926304281428157

The athlete’s performance not only showcased his personal achievement but also held a deeper significance.

“I was able to represent the people of Israel. I have no words to describe this feeling,” said Dadaon.

The athlete kissed the Israeli flag emblem on his uniform after his victory.

Despite the challenges posed by his cerebral palsy, Dadaon moved spectators by singing the Israeli national anthem during the medal ceremony.

“I will sing Hatikvah. That’s all I wanted—to represent the people of Israel in this period and to give them hope,” he said.

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