The Olympic Committee of Israel has unanimously re-elected Yael Arad as its President, entrusting her with another term of leadership. A pioneer in Israeli sports, Arad expressed gratitude to the committee for its trust and shared her vision for driving further success in the upcoming Olympic cycle.
“I deeply appreciate the committee’s confidence in me. Together, we will collaborate with key stakeholders in Israeli sports to build on the successes of Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024,” Arad stated.
As Israel’s first Olympic medalist, earning a silver in judo at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Arad has become a prominent figure in global sports governance. In addition to serving as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), she contributes significantly to advancing Israeli sports on a voluntary basis. She also extended her appreciation to Gili Lustig, Director General of the Olympic Committee of Israel, and the professional team for their unwavering support.
Under her leadership, Israel achieved its best Olympic result ever at the Paris 2024 Games, winning seven medals. Arad has focused on improving support for athletes by expanding access to scientific, medical and psychological resources. She also launched the LA2028 programme to develop young sporting talent and increased scholarships for athletes.
In addition to promoting athletic development, Arad has been a staunch advocate against boycotts targeting Israeli athletes in international arenas. Her tenure has laid the groundwork for continued success as she prepares to lead Israel’s athletes to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“All of our efforts are aimed at creating systems that empower athletes and ensure continued success. That has been and will continue to be our focus,” Arad emphasised. Her re-election underlines the committee’s confidence in her ability to lead Israeli sport into a new era of achievement.
