Rhythmic Gymnastics gold medalist Linoy Ashram received a hero’s welcome on her arrival in Israel on Wednesday.
“I don’t know what to say,” Ashram said to the huge crowd of Israelis who welcomed her at Ben Gurion International Airport and applauded as she entered the country returning from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“This is one of the most surreal experiences I’ve ever had, I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life,” thanking the crowd of people who came to welcome her.
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Ashram has also mentioned Israeli rhythmic gymnast Nicol Zelikman saying that they both reached a tremendous achievement and that they’re “still on cloud nine.”
Ashram thanked their coaches Ayelet Zusman and Ela Samofalov.
Ashram, won the gold medal after scoring 27.550 in the hoop routine and 28.300 and 28.650 in the ball and clubs disciplines respectively last week, beating her strongest rivals Dina and Arina Averina from Russia.
This is the first time since 2000 that a rhythmic gymnast who is not Russian has taken out the gold at the Olympic Games.