This 37-year-old veterinarian just made Israeli Olympic history
When you think of Israel, you might think of oranges, or of beaches. You probably don’t think about cross-country skiing.
But 37-year-old Dr. Attila Mihály Kertész, a veterinarian who immigrated from Hungary, just became the first Israeli to compete in that sport at the Olympics. Kertész took part in a 10-kilometer freestyle race on Friday, February 13. And even though he finished second-to-last, ranking 110th at Milan Cortina, he will forever be part of Israeli Olympic history.
“It’s good to give back to my nation, to be the first cross-country skier as an Israeli in the Olympics,” he posted in an Instagram video. “It’s an achievement, and I think it might be inspiring for young Israeli athletes. And also because I’m 37, I hope it will be inspiring for older athletes who think that it’s too late to start any kind of sport. And it’s never too late. You have no boundaries — just do it.”
Kertész started cross-country skiing in 2018. He had been a professional kayaker, and while he loves cycling and running, he wanted to find a sport that would exercise both his upper and lower body. Cross-country skiing was the perfect solution.
Around that time, he decided to make aliyah, but encountered many hurdles along the way. In 2020, he had to leave the country because he didn’t have the right paperwork; he attempted again in 2023, and even after October 7, 2023, he persisted. The day he became a citizen in 2024 was one of the happiest of his life, he said.
The following day, he reached out to Israel’s Olympic Committee, offering to compete for Israel. Just four weeks after that, he was competing for Israel in European races.
Now, he’s shown the world that the small nation can participate in one of the most grueling and demanding winter sports. As they say in Hebrew, kol hakavod, and yasher koach, Dr. Kertesz! We hope to see you competing at the 2028 Summer Olympics, too!
Kveller