Shmuel Lalkin, secretary general of the Israel Sports Federation, said here that the members of the Israel Olympic Committee feel at this point Israel will definitely appear at the Games in Moscow next summer. “Addressing a luncheon for him by the U.S. Committee Sports for Israel, Lalkin said” Our relationship with the Russians has Improved steadily and all indications are that we should have smooth sailing with the Russian Olympic officials.”
The Israeli sports official reported that the Soviet sports authorities “invited our yachting people to participate in the Games in Tallinin this summer and requested that our four-man and four-woman crews in rowing join the competition which will be held in August in Moscow.” These moves, Lalkin said, “prove to us that the Russians are serious about their sports relationship with Israel and consequently it is our firm opinion that we shall appear in force at the Games next summer.”
Lalkin, who toured the United States for a month under the auspices of the U.S. Committee Sports for Israel, noted that Israeli athletes are preparing for the 1980 Games. One of the top possibilities for a medal in the Games is Amir Ganiel who is training under the famous swimming coach Don Lamont on the West Coast. He is one of Israel’s brightest stars and together with Esther Roth plus the seven or so American athletes who made aliya, Israel will have strong representation next year.
Among the American athletes Lalkin also mentioned who are expected to make an impressive showing at the Moscow Olympics were Marty Rosenberg, the sprinter who represented the U.S. in the past Maccobiah Games, and Dan Gardner, the discus thrower.
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.
