Two Gymnasts in Israel to Receive 2 Million Shekels for Training Injuries

The Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court has ruled in favor of two former Israeli national team gymnasts who suffered shoulder injuries due to, as they claimed, negligence by sports organizations. The lawsuit was filed against the Gymnastics Federation, the Olympic Committee, and the Wingate Institute. The court ordered compensation of about 1.12 million shekels to one and about 505,000 to the other, plus 382,000 for legal costs. The judge rejected the organizations' arguments about the natural risk of injuries, placing responsibility on them.

The Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court has ruled in favor of two former Israeli national team gymnasts who were forced to end their professional careers due to shoulder injuries. The lawsuit was filed in March 2020 against the Israel Gymnastics Federation, the Olympic Committee, and the Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sports. The athletes claimed that the organizations prioritized achievements over health: despite complaints of pain, they were only referred to physiotherapy without thorough examinations, leading to serious damage and reduced work capacity. The judge rejected the organizations' argument that injuries are a natural risk in gymnastics and, based on an expert opinion, placed responsibility on the sports organizations. One gymnast was awarded about 1.12 million shekels, the second about 505,000, plus 382,000 for legal expenses. The disability degree of the first is 23.5%, and the second is 19.25%. After leaving sports, one plans to work at Apple with a salary of at least 40,000 shekels per month, and the other as a creative specialist in high-tech and a commentator on a sports channel.