IOC head: Israel's Olympians came 'without a gleam in their eyes'

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Israel Olympic Committee (IOC) Chairman Tzvi Varshaviak criticized Israel's competitors in Beijing Friday, saying that many of them arrived too complacent and "without a gleam in their eyes." During a press conference in the Chinese capital, Varshaviak said he particularly expected medals from judoka Arik Ze'evi and sailors Udi Gal and Gidi Kliger. Gilad Lustig, the director of Israel's Elite Sport Department, said Israel's Olympians didn't do as well as was hoped and that their achievements, although "satisfactory" overall, were less than at the last Olympics in Athens.