TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The 1972 Munich Olympics were marked by historic achievements and unprecedented controversy but will be forever defined by devastating catastrophe. In hosting the 1972 Munich Games, West Germany was eager to erase the stain of the 1936 Games in Berlin that came to symbolize a paragon of Nazi propaganda. Munich introduced the first-ever Olympic mascot, … Read More
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Just before heading to sleep on Sept. 4, 1972, Israeli Olympic racewalker Shaul Ladany lent his alarm clock to wrestling coach Moshe Weinberg, a fellow Israeli delegation member known by his nickname “Muni,” who had an early morning practice to run. Ladany, a reserve artillery officer in the Israeli army who said he could “sleep … Read More
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — As a baseball-crazed kid growing up in Miami, Danny Valencia dreamed of playing in the Major Leagues. The thought of heading to the Olympics, for a foreign country no less, never crossed his mind. But after nine years and nearly 100 homers in the big leagues, that’s the next surreal step for the 35-year-old Valencia, … Read More
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Soccer superstar Lionel Messi finally arrived in sports-crazed Israel on Sunday, after a Palestinian protest campaign derailed his previous visit and the latest round of cross-border fighting in Gaza threatened to scare him off once again. Messi and his Argentine teammates are in the Holy Land to play an international friendly against his Barcelona teammate … Read More
JERUSALEM (AP) — The owner of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft, accepted Israel’s prestigious Genesis Prize at a lavish ceremony on Thursday, where he pledged $20 million to establish a foundation dedicated to combating anti-Semitism and the Palestinian-led boycott movement against Israel. In his keynote address, Kraft told the audience of Israeli and international dignitaries that he was “humbled … Read More
JERUSALEM (AP) — New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been awarded Israel’s 2019 Genesis Prize in recognition of his philanthropy and commitment to combatting anti-Semitism, organizers of the prize announced on Wednesday. The $1 million award, widely known as the “Jewish Nobel” prize, is granted each year to a person recognized as an inspiration to the next generation of … Read More
JERUSALEM (AP) — The sports-crazed nation of Israel was in uproar Wednesday over Argentina’s abrupt cancellation of a World Cup warmup match following pro-Palestinian protests, with some of the country’s leaders accusing Lionel Messi and his teammates of caving to terrorism. Israel was eagerly awaiting the sold-out international friendly scheduled for Saturday night at Jerusalem’s Teddy Kollek Stadium and the … Read More
EILAT, Israel (AP) — Elia Viviani won the third stage of the 101st Giro d’Italia on Sunday for his second bunch sprint finish victory in as many days as the Grand Tour race bid farewell to its historic start in Israel. The Italian finished the lengthy 229-kilometer (143-mile) route through Israel’s Negev desert down to its southern tip of Eilat … Read More
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A day after his opening stage lead slipped away to Giro d’Italia defending champion Tom Dumoulin — the last of the 175 riders in the individual time trial — Rohan Dennis got a measure of revenge by taking the pink jersey on Saturday. Elia Viviani won the second stage in less than four hours, nudging … Read More
JERUSALEM (AP) — With Chris Froome likely feeling the ill effects of a training crash, defending champion Tom Dumoulin won the opening stage of the 101st Giro d’Italia on Friday. Froome, who bloodied his right knee and ripped his shorts and jersey in the crash shortly before the time trial started, finished 37 seconds behind Dumoulin in 21st place. Dumoulin … Read More
JERUSALEM (AP) — Of the 22 teams competing in this year’s Giro d’Italia, the Israel Cycling Academy squad has perhaps the most at stake. Israel’s first pro cycling team is the event’s undoubted underdog. And while team officials say they hope to win a stage or two, their ultimate goal is far loftier — to parlay their maiden participation in … Read More
JERUSALEM (AP) — After resolving a brief crisis over the status of its proclaimed capital, Israel is ready to finally get things underway this week with its historic hosting of the Giro d’Italia cycling race. The world’s best riders will start the race in Jerusalem on Friday in the first time a cycling Grand Tour will ever be held outside … Read More
JERUSALEM (AP) — Winding its way around the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City, through modern Tel Aviv then the Negev desert down to the Red Sea, the start of next year’s Giro d’Italia will highlight Israel’s history, culture and varied topography. Details of the 2018 race, which will mark the first time a cycling Grand Tour is held outside of … Read More
JERUSALEM (AP) — Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis says the NFL has taken advantage of its players by not sharing with them all the information it had about the risk of concussions. After viewing an innovation expo in Jerusalem that included a presentation from ElMindA, an Israeli neuro-technology company that can help the NFL diagnose concussions, Bettis said … Read More
RAMAT HASHARON, Israel (AP) — Some of the greatest NFL players of all time descended on a converted soccer field outside Tel Aviv to watch local youths scrimmage in a big boost for the burgeoning sport of American football in Israel. Joe Montana, Jim Brown, Roger Staubach and Mike Singletary were among the 18 members of the Pro Football Hall … Read More