Shimon Peres will represent Israel at the opening of the Beijing Olympics.
President Peres will fly with Israel’s Olympic delegation to the Aug. 8 launch of the Games in the Chinese capital, his office said Thursday.
According to Israel Radio, authorities in Beijing arranged hotel accommodation for Peres within the Olympics compound – an unusual move designed to allow him to walk to the ceremonies, which take place over Shabbat.
More than 40 athletes will compete for Israel in the 2008 Games, the Jewish state’s largest-ever Olympic delegation.
