Ashram burst into tears: I have reached the climax, I have fulfilled a dream

Linoy Ashram (Radad Jabara)

About eight months after winning the Olympic gold medal in the great battle of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Linoy Ashram today (Monday) announced her official retirement from a sporting career in artistic gymnastics, at a special press conference. Later, she will join the coaching staff of the artistic gymnastics team within the association.

The 22-year-old Ashram, as published in ONE, will join the coaching staff of the Israeli national gymnastics team, so that she will work together with the industry’s head coach, Ayelet Sussman, who accompanied her during her successful and accomplished career. The union has officially confirmed this.

Ashram She said as she struggled to hold back tears at the press conference: “What an exciting class. About eight months ago I entered the competition hall in Tokyo to practice. The training was really not good, I felt a tremor in my legs, I had a lot of blows in my head. I said to myself ‘you have reached the moment you have been waiting for, the most important event in my career, for which you have invested 15 years’. I was afraid it would all go down the drain. I was under terrible stress, I realized this was the final stop of my career. Today I can say that I felt the greatest commitment in my career. I felt like a whole country under my shoulders. I must not disappoint. I knew that the State of Israel was behind me and wanted my success, it greatly increased my motivation to succeed. “

Ashram added: “I will never forget my first exercise in Tokyo. I did not dream in my bad dreams that precisely in the hoop, my strong exercise, I would show poor ability. After the exercise I was ranked 16th. Asked how I reset, Ayelet Sussman told me ‘just enter the final no matter where.’ I told myself that the worst of all was already behind me, there was nowhere to go because I was in the lowest possible place. It was a long day and I felt it was not over. I was ranked third at the end. I realized that I could win a medal. “

She added: “Honestly, I never dreamed I would win a gold medal. Today when I write on the business card an Olympic champion I can say with great satisfaction that it was worth all this journey. I wanted to reach my peak. Frankly, even today, eight months later, it’s still hard for me to say the phrase ‘Olympic champion’. I ask myself ‘What am I, Linoy Ashram from Rishon Lezion, I won gold?’. I ask if it really happened. “

Ashram added: “At this point I announce my retirement. An athlete needs to know when to retire. I fulfilled my dream and reached the professional peak. I decided to continue on the same route, but on the other side of the surface. The road to gold has been difficult, but I’m glad I chose that direction in my life. Thanks to my parents, Hedva and Oren, for everything. Without Ayelet Sussman, I’m not sure I would have been an Olympic champion. If I could cut the medal in half, I would give her her share. Thank you to the union, to the municipality of Rishon Lezion, to everyone. Thank you to Israel for all the warmth and love. “

Ayelet Sussman, The head coach of artistic gymnastics in Israel and the one who accompanied Ashram in her career, said: “How can a long and arduous journey be summed up in a few words? I am glad that in the end we can sum up the way in a way that is adorned with unprecedented achievements. The road was no less significant than the thing itself. We did not just dedicate the medal. I am excited about our next path, our path continues together in setting new goals and dreams for Israeli gymnastics. Everything we learned together and the way we acted is the one that will set us the professional path. There is still a lot of work to be done, but I am sure that with the help of the team we will meet the goals while meeting the values that were in front of my eyes. Despite the stigmas, Linoy and I have proven to the world that it is possible otherwise. Thanks to everyone who accompanied us. To my traveling companion, who accompanied me at every moment with her rich experience, coach Ella Smolov. Which is also a personal company. She taught me not to give up until we fulfill this dream. “

Sussman continued thanks to the Olympic Committee, Rishon Lezion Municipality, the team in artistic gymnastics, also thanked physiotherapist Natalie Bartler, agent Ophir Even and coach Raya Irgo. The coach expanded and said: “Thank you to an entire country that became a partner in the medal overnight. Thanks to Linoy, the one and only, who fought over me over and over again. Our true victory is together. Thank you for fulfilling more than we dreamed. I always knew you were worth gold, and to my delight now everyone knows. I love you”.

Minister of Culture and Sports, Trooper Corps, He said: “Dear Linoy, Thank you very much for bringing pride to Israeli sports. You left a mark. “Your achievements have touched the skies of world sports, but what is special about you is that you are left with your feet on the ground.”

Mayor of Rishon Lezion, Rz artificial, He said: “The truth is I thought what to say. I can say one word: Thank you. Huge thanks for the great honor you gave to the State of Israel, and certainly to the city of Rishon Lezion. Only yesterday we were in the Rishon LeZion race, she ran ten kilometers, but what I want to say is that after the race we had another one, of a few hundred meters, for children with special needs. You did not give up, Linoy. You ran next to that kid in a wheelchair. You are an amazing girl, we are proud of you in Rishon Lezion. We are happy that you will continue to be a part of the gymnastics in the city. You put us in no small expense. We are building a facility that costs about NIS 70 million so that you will not have an excuse to travel to Wingate. Unfortunately, the state has failed along the way and the burden falls on the heads of the authorities. I personally pick up the glove and can and will help, lift one of the most beautiful facilities in the country and you must be a part of it. Thank you Ayelet, thank you Linoy. ”