JERUSALEM — Israel is not quite a “Cool Runnings.” But the country does have a noteworthy pair of figure-skaters — who, perhaps appropriately, immigrated from Russia when they were children:
The Olympic Committee of Israel announced yesterday that the sibling ice dancing pair of Roman and Alexandra Zaretsky would represent the country at next month’s Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
According to the Olympic schedule, the ice-dancing competition will occur on February 19, 21, and 22.
I’ll be interested to see what the siblings wear. As readers may note in the picture, the brother is wearing a kippa (yarmulke), and the sister is dressed more-modestly compared to many other figure skaters. Part of the reason that I find Eurovision and the Olympics fascinating is that viewers can see the ethnicities and cultures of each country on display. It’s neat.
Moreover, I’ll be curious to see what international reaction may occur. Israeli athletes are sometimes protested and ostracized more than any other country in the world.
(Hat tip: Jewlicious)
