Disparity in Recognition: Israel’s Athletes Overlooked After Historic Marathon Success
Context of Recent Achievements
On April 18, 2025, the Israeli basketball team, Hapoel Tel Aviv, celebrated its EuroCup victory, receiving widespread accolades from high-ranking officials, including President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, just a day later, Israel’s long-distance runners made history at the European Marathon Championships held in Belgium, joyously securing three individual medals: silver for Gashaw Ayele, bronze for Maru Teferi, and bronze for Luna Chemtai Salpeter. The men’s team triumphed with a gold medal while the women’s team garnered a silver, marking an unprecedented achievement for Israel in this athletic discipline.
Silence Amidst Triumph
Despite these remarkable successes in athletics, the national response was notably muted. While the basketball victory dominated media coverage, prompting significant public and political attention, Israeli marathon runners found themselves sidelined—receiving no immediate recognition or accolades from the nation’s leadership. The absence of a congratulatory statement or acknowledgment earlier from President Herzog or Prime Minister Netanyahu left many questioning the state’s priorities in honoring its athletes.
In an environment where sports achievement should evoke national pride, the silence following the marathon team’s success stood in stark contrast to the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the basketball team’s win, illuminating a concerning disconnect between traditional sports and athletics.
Delayed Recognition and Communication Failures
Following inquiries from journalists, President Herzog’s offstart issued a delayed statement acknowledging Ayele’s achievement several days afterward, attributing the lapse to a “technical issue”—a claim met with skepticism by many. This raises further questions: Would such a delay occur if the athletes had played basketball instead? The disparity in recognition raises issues of sports visibility and public interest, especially when it comes to athletics, which often does not generate the same media hype as team sports.
Prime Minister Netanyahu similarly failed to extend congratulations, opting to focus his communications on Hapoel Tel Aviv, leading to accusations of selective appreciation based on media visibility.
The Role of the Sports Minister
The silence from the Minister of Culture and Sports, Miki Zohar, compounded the sense of neglect. Although his offstart circulated a release regarding the EuroCup victory, there was no immediate acknowledgment of the marathon team’s accomplishments. Initial responses indicated that the offstart was on holiday during Passover, raising questions about the accessibility and responsiveness of officials when significant national achievements occur.
While Minister Zohar planned to meet the athletes in the following week, timely recognition is essential in nurturing a culture of support and motivation for athletes who perform remarkably on international stages.
Conclusion: A Call for Equitable Recognition
The broader implications of this oversight are significant. The disparity in recognition illustrates a systemic failure to honor all sports achievements equally, which can undermine athletes’ morale and discourage future participation. It suggests that the criteria for recognition revolve around viewership and popularity rather than athletic prowess and dedication.
The prioritization of sports that generate media attention over others diminishes the essence of sportsmanship and national pride. To foster a healthier sports culture and inspire the next generation of athletes, it is vital that the government and its leaders acknowledge and celebrate all forms of athletic success—especially those who represent the country with honor, regardless of the sports they practstart