Just five months ago, Dafna Lang was appointed chairwoman of the cycling association, and already this week, under her baton, she gets to host the world championship here.
Although it is only for the youth, the head of the industry has other big dreams that she hopes to implement in the coming years.
Lang, a lawyer by profession with an independent office specializing in real estate and commercial law, has been involved in many activities in the field of sports in recent years. Two years ago she was a member of the steering committee for the formulation of the national facilities plan of the Ministry of Sports.
"It's exciting, the members of the teams are very satisfied, and everything looks amazing," says Lang in a special interview for "Israel Today", "This is a historic event for the sport, unique and uncommon in the Israeli landscape. 300 riders from 41 countries and five continents arrived, including all the powerful countries And one big celebration."
"This is a new sport in Israel that has been celebrated for two and a half years," she continues, "in such a short time many things have happened, including a medalist in the European Championships for girls and seventh place in the European Championships in Munich. Great things are happening here, and the initiative to bring the championship with the vision of Sylvan Adams is giving An opportunity for the young riders to host and be at the front of an event of the magnitude of the top of world sports."
The world championship in youth track cycling in Tel Aviv,
To what extent does the fact that the championship takes place in Israel help them?
"They were very excited. This hug with the motivation in front of a loving and encouraging crowd always takes the athletes one step forward, and all this in front of athletes who will be in the next Olympics - an amazing sporting experience.
"It was also important for us to make the competition accessible to the public so that families would come and there would be an attraction for everyone with a price of 20 shekels per ticket. We hope that the exposure will make teenagers and other people come to try it out."
Without the initiative of a private person like Sylvan Adams almost nothing would have happened.
"There is no doubt that what Sylvan gives to the industry is an X-factor. It's not just that the velodrome is named after him, he is the contributor to the industry, but it doesn't stop there. He is a partner, it is in his heart and he sees aid as a contribution to the people of Israel so that the industry will be a leader in the country. Today, Israelis can To strive to reach the top of the world with his team."
Isn't that the role of the state?
"The state must understand that what the bicycle industry receives from a budgetary point of view is aimed at underachievement. It is true that those who bring achievements must be strengthened, but there must also be a look at the potential and see where the world of tomorrow is.
"A sport that has 36 medals in the Olympics with such a facility, a coach of the highest level and achievements in a short time - the state must join and assist it. It cannot be that everything falls on a philanthropist or on the support of parents."
In 2019, a trainer with a world name like Steve McEwan arrived here to lead the industry. How did he fit in?
"Steve is a world name, and there is no doubt that the momentum that has happened here in two and a half years is phenomenal. We have riders with potential and it's thanks to him. He deserves a lot of credit for what he did here in a short period of time, when before he arrived no one even knew how to ride. I have no doubt that he will take us far. He is also an ambassador of the State of Israel, and we are very pleased with him."
Are there any plans for the future?
"There are clubs that operate here, and it is not an elitist industry. We have a strategic plan not to leave the industry only to Tel Avivians. We are working with the facilities fund and we have brought a facilities model that exists in Europe and the United States, of a facility with a low cost - 500 thousand euros.
"The goal is to establish such facilities in the north and south of the country. We will create the broad base, and the best will train in the velodrome. We also have plans for the Arab sector. It may be that the sport becomes the most popular in the sector, apart from football. There are some talents there."
World Championship in Tel Aviv.
Great excitement, photo: Oren Aharoni
"I arrived in time to take things forward"
While in the coming days we will hear about the first Israeli rider who will participate in the World Road Bike Championship to be held in Australia, Lang is in no rush to commit to a representative in the velodrome already at the Paris Olympics in two years.
"It's a bit early to talk about it, but at the rate of what's happening, anything is possible. If in two years we have a rider who will rank high again in the European Championship, we can do that too."
How does it feel to lead the industry?
"I enjoy every moment. I see the infinite potential, meeting the athletes, the heads of the clubs, parents. Things happen at a fast pace, and I arrived at the right time to take things forward."
Why are there so few female leads?
"16 years ago, I was among the women who promoted the amendment of the sports law on the subject of adequate representation. It takes a long time to achieve this, and there are those who cling to the chair and are not willing to let women in, but I am very optimistic, because we have seen successful struggles, such as in women's soccer.
"Soon we will see more women in management and leadership positions. This is an uplifting experience. More than I give, I receive. I call on more women to join."
What is your big dream?
"To see the industry bring international achievements and develop a tradition at the highest levels. The other dream is that the industry will be a bridge between Arabs and Jews and between women and men. I am working for this, and you will hear more about such projects."
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