Ron Polonsky won the silver medal in the mixed 200m medley, June 2024 (Photo: Social media of Israel Swimming Association, Photographer: Simona Castrovillari)
Israel is celebrating the historic performance of its swimming team at the European Aquatics Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, with the country finishing in third place on the medal table with four gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal on Sunday.
The table was led by Hungary with 10, 9, and 8 medals respectively, before Greece with 5 gold, 8 silver, and four bronze medals.
On the last day of the competition, Ron Polonsky won the silver medal in the mixed 200m medley, capping off Israel’s best-ever performance in a swimming tournament.
“I am happy that I broke my Israeli record, after the previous record I set two years ago at the World Championship, where I missed the final when I finished in ninth place. This time, I also made it to the finals and won a medal,” Polonsky said.
His time was good enough to qualify for the upcoming Olympic Games, where Israel hopes to repeat its stunning performance in a sport where Israel never won an Olympic medal.
Polonsky followed in the footsteps of his sister Leah, who on Saturday had also won a silver medal in the 200-meter individual medley with a personal record time of 2:11.18.
#Israeli swimmers dominate the podium at the European #Aquatics Championship in Belgrade, Serbia! Anastasiya Gorbenko brings home the gold and Leah Polonsky brings home the silver medal in the 200M individual medley. We are so proud of you! 🇮🇱
📷: Israeli Swimming Association pic.twitter.com/kkiop5vQbv
— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) June 23, 2024
The same day, Israel’s star swimmer Anastasia Gorbenko secured the fourth Israeli gold by winning the 200m individual medley final.
Gorbenko was involved in all four Israeli gold medals, by winning the 400-meter individual medley as well as being part of the women’s and mixed relay team wins.
She is now seen as a serious medal contender at the Paris Olympics set to begin next month.
Also on Saturday, Kristian Pitshuguin won a bronze medal in the 50m breaststroke final amid rain pouring down on the pool, breaking the Israeli record with a time of 27:02.
The Israeli team’s impressive performance amid the ongoing war with Hamas and a looming war with Hezbollah gives reason to hope it can replicate its showing during the upcoming Olympics, and continue to provide pride and relief to their war-weary country.