Track cyclist Michael Yakovlev entered the annals of Israeli sports history on Saturday when he became the first Israeli in the sport to climb the podium at the European Championships, after securing the bronze medal in the sprint race.
Bronze medal for Michael Yakovlev at the European Track Bike Championships | Cycling Association
The 23-year-old Yakovlev, who immigrated to Israel from Russia in 2022, also hopes to become the first Israeli to participate in the sport at the Olympic Games, and we will only get the answer on April 15, at the end of the World Championships and according to the world rankings. After the last achievement, he took a big step towards the goal.
The talented rider will already try to double the number of medals at the championships when he participates in the Kierin race. He had already won a bronze medal in this race at the 2021 World Championships, but did so for his native Russian.
Even before getting back on the track, Yakovlev said of his achievement: "Thank you very much for the support, this bronze is Israel's first medal at the European Championships. I want to thank the union and I also want to dedicate the medal to the abductees who have been in captivity for 100 days. I am proud to raise the Israeli flag."
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Dafna Lang, Chairperson of the Israel Cycling Association: "The Israel Cycling Association congratulates Michael Yaakovlev on the first ever medal for an Israeli cyclist at the European Senior Championships, and for bringing us all some comfort during these difficult times. We are proud to open the Olympic year with a first medal at this year's European Championships for Israeli sports."
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