Israel's Olympic gold medal-winning rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram is expected to hold a press conference in the coming days where she will announce her retirement from competitive sports.
About eight months after astonishing the world at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, scooping the top prize in the rhythmic individual all-around competition and breaking Russia's long-standing hegemony in the sport.
The 22-year-old became the first and only Israeli woman to win an Olympic gold medal — an honor reserved only to her, fellow gymnast Artem Dolgopyat who also won his gold medal in Tokyo and windsurfer Gal Fridman who did so in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
All in all, Israel's greatest sportswoman has racked up a whopping 123 medals over the span of her illustrious five-year career, including six medals at the European Championship and 12 others at the World Championship.
Meanwhile, Israel Gymnastics Federation offered the 22-year-old to join the coaching team of the Israeli national team alongside the coach who has accompanied her throughout the years, Ayelet Sussman.
Culture and Sports Minister Hili Tropper thanked Ashram for her contribution to Israeli sports and wished her good luck in her future endeavors.
Linoy Ashram is a role model in Israeli sports who has attained unprecedented achievements, culminating in winning a gold medal at the Olympics," he said.
"Linoy leaves Israeli sports a glorious career and which will serve as a role model for young girls who play sports and see her as an inspiring figure. Linoy, thank you. Much luck down the road!”