Israeli athletes had a poor week at the Olympic games here. Track and swimming stars failed to qualify for final events in trial heats. A long distance walker finished 24th in a field of 36 starters. Israeli marksmen did poorly in shooting events in which they were expected to excel and Israel’s soccer team, in which high hopes were placed, lost by a 2-0 score to the world champion Hungarian team in the first round of a qualifying tournament.
The athletes engaged in events that require physical stamina generally attributed their poor form to the high altitude. This was particularly true of the swimmers who complained of breathing difficulties because of the lack of oxygen. But Jewish athletes from other countries have turned in top performances in many strenuous events, including swimming.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
