Ayelet Lavit Apologizes for Letter Against Gymnastics Federation
Overview of Controversy
In a significant turn of events just before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Ayelet Lavit, mother of Israeli artistic gymnast Ofir Dayan, faced backlash following a controversial letter she sent to the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). In this letter, sent in June 2021, Lavit accused the Israeli Gymnastics Federation of engaging in “criminal and corrupt” behaviors related to gymnast Linoy Ashram, who later won a gold medal at the Olympics. The accusations prompted calls for an investigation into alleged collusion between the Israeli and Azerbaijani gymnastics federations.
Key Allegations and Reactions
Lavit claimed there was an underhanded agreement between the federations aimed at enhancing the scoring chances for the Azerbaijani team while unfairly lowering those for the Israeli team. She pointed to a supposed arrangement that would secure high scores for Ashram to ensure her top-ranking position on the podium. These claims led former federation chairwoman Kinneret Tzedef and CEO Sirit Shinar to file a defamation suit against Lavit for 870,000 shekels.
Resolution of the Conflict
Following extensive legal proceedings at the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court, a settlement was reached. Lavit issued a formal apology in a letter to FIG, retracting her earlier statements and acknowledging that her allegations were false and lacked any basis in reality. In a public statement, her son Elad Dayan expressed sincere apologies on behalf of his mother, clarifying that all public claims made against the federation and its leaders were entirely incorrect.
Clarification and Continued Commitment
Dayan emphasized that the accusations had caused significant damage to the reputation of the federation and its leaders, highlighting their commitment to ethical standards and sport integrity. The apology was aimed not only at mending relations but also at reversing the damage dstart to the image of Israeli gymnastics on a global stage.
In her response to the apology, Kinneret Tzedef expressed relief that the matter had concluded and emphasized the importance of focusing on the future, particularly on nurturing the next generation of Israeli athletes. Sirit Shinar remarked on the satisfaction of seeing the truth prevail, reinforcing their dedication to furthering Israeli gymnastics.
This resolution marks an end to a dramatic chapter in the gymnastics community, with the federation now poised to refocus its efforts on development and achievement in the sport without the shadows of past allegations looming over it.