The torch lighting ceremony to mark the 75th Independence Day of the State of Israel this evening (Tuesday) at Mount Herzl was especially exciting for the sports fans, who had the privilege of seeing basketball coach David Blatt among the 12 torch lighters.
The 63-year-old Blatt is considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of European and Israeli basketball in particular, thanks to a glorious career rich in titles, and for the past three years he has also been battling multiple sclerosis.
"I am David, the son of Lilian and the late William, from the height of this beacon in honor of the State of Israel that a new immigrant adopted me into her arms, gave me a home and opened up to me the possibility of starting a loyal and proud Israeli family.
I know thanks for that.
In honor of the wonderful and warm family of Israeli sports that gave me the opportunity to break boundaries, bring hearts together, influence, educate and lead people to be the best version of themselves.
In honor of my new brothers and sisters who are dealing with multiple sclerosis, that we know that every day is a struggle, that every day is a gift and that we will never give up.
And for the glory of the State of Israel!
One of the greatest coaches in the history of European basketball.
Blatt (photo: screenshot, voila!)
David Blatt was born and raised in the United States, but came to Israel in the early 1980s with the United States national team to participate in Maccabiah and a short time later decided to immigrate to Israel.
After over a decade as a basketball player in Israel, he began a rich and illustrious coaching career that made him one of the most respected coaches in the history of European basketball thanks to significant achievements including winning the Euroleague with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2014.
In 2015, he won the Eastern Conference championship in the NBA with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, but was fired about six months later following a confrontation with the star LeBron James, despite an impressive record of 40:83 - there was no coach who was fired with a better record of his own.
He also won gold and bronze medals with the Russian team at the European Championships, which he also led to a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in London in 2012.
Today he serves as a professional consultant at Maccabi Tel Aviv at the same time as he is fighting multiple sclerosis.
Sylvan Adams.
A major contribution to the promotion of Israeli sports (Photo: Danny Maron)
In addition to Blatt, the record also belongs to the philanthropist Sylvan Adams, a Canadian-Israeli Jewish businessman and billionaire who in 2009 founded the Adams Family Foundation, which contributes to causes related to the development of sports in Israel and the promotion of Israel's image in the world.
In addition to numerous events held in Israel thanks to Adams, he is the owner of the top cycling team "Israel Premier Tech" and was also the one who contributed to the construction of the first velodrome facility in Israel and the paving of the bicycle path in Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv, which is located near the velodrome.
"I am Sylvan Adams, the son of Annie and Marcel Adams, whose memory is blessed, from the height of this holocaust in honor of my parents who survived the Holocaust, fought in the War of Independence and rebuilt a full and good life. In honor of our wonderful country and the wonderful people in it, who make this place the best place in the world, a place Ours. Even if we argue, we are united. In honor of the people who tell the whole world the unbelievable true story about the Land of Israel. A happy, tolerant, pluralistic land with good and warm people that I love so much. I chose to live here, in the homeland of the Jewish people, the homeland that belongs to all of us - Israelis and Diaspora Jews. We are all one nation. The nation of Israel is alive. I am proud to be Israeli. And to the glory of the State of Israel!"
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