Israeli dedicates first gold to Munich victims

The first Israeli ever to win an Olympic gold medal dedicated his victory on Wednesday to his 11 countrymen killed in the Munich massacre of 1972.

Israel, founded in 1948, first competed at the 1952 Games in Helsinki but waited 40 years before winning their first medals and more than half a century for Fridman's gold.

"It's a dream come true," he said. "It's unbelievable that I've become the first Israeli to win a gold medal. All the people of Israel are happy now. I've lots of support from back home and I feel like all the country wanted the gold so I won this for Israel. I knew the whole country was watching me so I had to do my best. It was more support than pressure. I felt like the whole country was pumping for me and you cannot explain that".

This is Israel's 6th medal in the Olympics.

this article was found at: http://smh.com.au/olympics/articles/2004/08/26/1093246633906.html




Gal Fridman