Introducing Israel’s Olympians: Amit Ivri
06/28/2012 03:54
Swimming – 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley.
Israeli swimmer Amit Ivri Photo: REUTERS
Israel’s only female swimmer in London, the 22-year-old Ivri, has been tipped
for success for many years after making her breakthrough as a
17 year old.
She failed to reach the Beijing Games, but used the
disappointment as motivation and eventually secured her place in London with an
outstanding display at last month’s European Championships in Debrecen,
Hungary.
Ivri clocked a time of 58.64 seconds in the 100m butterfly
heats, sixth hundredths of a second quicker than the Olympic Qualifying Time,
and became the first Israeli woman to win a medal at the long-course Europeans a
day later when she ended the final in third place.
“I’m delighted with
this medal,” Ivri said at the time.
“Now I’ll turn my complete focus to
the Olympics at which I’ll bring Israel even more honor.”
Ivri’s target
in London will be to reach two semifinals, but she will likely have to set
national records in both her events to do so.