A spokesperson for EI AI Airlines said today that an Israeli wrestling team that had been reported missing by the Israeli Sports Federation in Tel Aviv, had actually been stranded in New York since Friday but that the team had boarded a TWA plane today for Chicago and would fly from there to their original destination, Mexico City, to compete in a wrestling competition for the world title.
The team comprises two wrestlers, Rammi Meron and Edward Mordekhayev; the coach, Yaacov Mordekhayev; and Gabi Daon, head of the group. According to a report from Tel Aviv, the team left last Friday morning by EI AI for New York where they were scheduled to pick up a flight for Mexico City. The team was due in Mexico City last Saturday night.
When the team did not show up, the Israel Sports federation, after a three-day silence, began an investigation and decided to publicize its concern today. The four Israelis had no United States entry visas since it had been planned they would stay at Kennedy Airport in New York as passengers in transit before boarding a plane for Mexico City.
The EI AI spokesperson said the airline had no information on where the four Israelis had stayed during their enforced stopover here, nor why they had to remain here. She said it was her understanding the team would arrive in Mexico City tomorrow but that she did not know whether they would continue to Mexico City by TWA or transfer to another airline.
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