A committee of experts will investigate why Israel did not win any medals at the
Summer Olympics for the first time since the 1992 Barcelona Games, Culture and
Sport Minister Limor Livnat announced on Wednesday.
The panel will look
into any failures in preparation for the London Olympic Games – even though
greater funds were invested in the team than ever before – as well as what
lessons can be learned ahead of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
“I
have great esteem for all of the athletes on Israel’s team. Every one of them
worked hard and put in the greatest effort in order to win a medal, and for that
the Israeli public and I are thankful,” Livnat said.“Although we did not win a
medal, some of the athletes had impressive accomplishments and showed incredible
capabilities in competing against their rivals.”
Livnat also sent good
luck wishes to the Israeli athletes who are still competing in
London.
The minister said that following the great efforts and expense
the government put into the Olympics, it is important to thoroughly examine any
professional shortcomings in preparing for the Games.
The new committee
will include Israeli and international experts, who will compile a report that
will be the basis for preparations for the 2016 Olympics.
Also on
Wednesday, Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee chairwoman Einat Wilf
said she plans to discuss Israel’s lack of medals at the 2012
Games.
Kadima MK Yoel Hasson wrote Wilf a letter on Tuesday night, asking
her to hold a meeting with Livnat as well as Olympic athletes, members of the
Israel Olympic Committee and Finance Ministry representatives.
The
purpose of such a meeting would be to “discuss the failures of our team and
examine possible ways to prevent an additional embarrassment in the 2016
Olympics,” according to Hasson.
“The lack of government investment in
sport is a continuing injustice, which the public realizes every four years when
time after time Israeli athletes fail in different competitions,” he wrote. “We
need a discussion in the committee in order to decide what steps can be taken to
change the current worrying and painful reality of Israeli sports.”
Wilf
agreed to hold the meeting; however, she ensured that the committee would not
refer to the lack of medals as a failure.
The meeting will be in
September, because her committee reached the maximum number of meetings
scheduled per month of the Knesset’s summer recess.