Don't know what to say... on one hand, this isn't something to boast about b/c in general physical accomplishents have no intrinsic value ALTHOUGH for some people its an expresssion of their existance, gratitdue and joie de vivre and specifically, like others pointed out, the races were on Shabbos (sigh). YET it still was something to show the world and I won't deny I'm proud. (Although I do think it strange for us to only have won one gold medal in Israel's entire history compared with the large percentage (158 out of 750 for a nation that isa quarter of one percent of the world's population) of Nobel prize winners with Jewish blood. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_J ewish_Nobel_Prize_winners and http://www.jinfo.org/Nobel_Prizes.ht ml ) Mazal TOv, and may we have cause for much greater simcha in the future!!!

how about just posting mazel tov, and not ur own political beliefs??? MAZEL TOV ISRAEL!!!!!

YAYAYAY!!! MAZEL TOV!!!! (EVEN THOUGH IM VERY LATE IN SAYING THIS) HAHA BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Israel continues to be the world's most phenomenal country and keep it up!

ya israel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we rock!!!!!!!!!!!

Three cheers for Gal - HIP HIP HOORAY.... HIP HIP HOORAY.... HIP HIP HOORAY....MAZEL TOV on the victory... job well done...

Mazel Tov Israel!!! keep the gold medals coming!!! Great Job!! :)

hey!, Mazel tov! does anyone know what the link is of the ceremony. I didn't see it and owuld lovfe to. Please email me at seaweed901@hotmail.com

So we beat the Greeks at their own game, sports and the worship of the physical. Nothing to be proud of. In fact, I would say the Greeks are the ultimate winners, the Jews are now becoming better Greeks than the Greeks themselves. A crying shame.

Dear Gal, Elana, Dovid, and I are very proud!! Mazal Tov on achieving your well deserved goal. You have given a wonderful boost of morale to the Jewish nation!! All the best, Barak, Elana, and Dovid Ben-Tor

wow, Mazal tov! i was unable to watch the actuall ceremony but online i was able to watch the whole thing in hebrew, even though i am all the way in America. it was so nice. i almost started crying as as the announcer said- for the first time in history... and tehn hatikva came on for the whole world to hear. I LOVE ISRAEL AND I WISH I COULD BE THERE. the poeple there are great and teh country in great. congrates on making history!!!!

Mazal Tov. May you continue to be Mekadesh Hashem V'Amo Yisrael in everything you do. Kol HaKavod. Meira, Simcha, and Bat-Tzion Atik

Gal mazel tov,you make us all proud here in America. Selwyn Gordon

)- Mazal tov to Gal and the State of Israel! With regards to Celia's posting below, since I don't think that OnlySimchas is a forum for a debate, please see my response to her comments at www.geocities.com/hubscubs/IMHO.h tml (web site should appear as one word)

I would like to remind all those wishing Gal and the State of Israel such heartfelt congratulations, that the races were run on Shabbat. Unlike many of the athletes (mainly Russians) representing Israel, Gal is Jewish and chilul Shabbat obviously plays no part in his efforts to represent the Jewish People. Seeing the Israeli Olympic Team waving the Jewish flag at the opening ceremonies on Friday night indeed brings tears to our eyes, but tears of pain and sadness, not tears of joy or pride. Gal's gold medal is therefore, a bittersweet victory at best. Hashiyvaynu eylecha v'nashuva.