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.

mazal tov!!!!!!! you make us so proud of israel, congratulations!! Rochel and Mussy

Congratulations! I am writing from Toronto, Canada. I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. You are a source of pride and joy to our Jewish nation and Jews around the world! May G-d bless you and all the Jews! Amen!

This made my night. I'm so excited and happy its so awesome that israel now has a gold medal to its credit heres to the best country in the world, a great athlete, and many more israeli medals.

Israel Rox! Dont get discouraged! For Israel will be proven resilient !

Mazel tov may u build a BNBY! lol congrats on a job well done.

I am from Canada, and I've been watching the Olympics from the beginning. It was mamash exciting to see Israel win the bronze and it was mamash AMAZING to see you grab the gold in wind surfing! We are all so proud of you Gal. I will be shepping nachis tonight as I watch Israel on top of the podium at the award ceramony. Mazal tov! Kol Yisrael Achim!

Mazel Tov on the Gold. You make Jews all around the world proud of you............. Thanks

MAZAL TOV

Dearest Gal mazal tov, hopefully you will build a BAyis Ne'eman Beyisroel with Alex's sister, and enjoy the true naches of a yiddishe meaningful life in eretz yisroel. umine!

I don't know you and you don't know me, but MAZAL TOV on winning Israel's first gold medal.

I can't wait to hear them play Hatikvah at the Closing Ceremonies. That's going to be fantastic. Congrats!

mazal tov gal!! u are truly awesome!! kol hakavod!!!keep on rockin' we're behind u all the way!

Mazel Tov Gal and to the entire Israel delegation at the Olympics!

Mazal tov, zeh mamash yafeh!

Mazal Tov, well done.

Hi, My name is alex and I would like to offer you a shiduch. my sister is really pretty and she loves windsurfing. I think you guys would make a great couple and bring a lot of nachas to the ganse am israel

MAZAL TOV!!!!!

Shehechianu, v'kiyamanu, v'hegianu l'zman haze!! MAZAL TOV!!

Just to tell you how proud we are, here in Wien. For the first time in History the Hatikwa on the Olympics!

Who cares? It's not a real sport, it's windsurfing.

MAZAL TOV! This is a crowning achievement in Israel's history and may there be many more gold medals in Olympics to come.

Gal we are soooooooooo proud of you. We are 100000% behind you and we aren't from New Jersey so don't be scared. Mazel tov! you should bring only nachas to your parents.

How awesome!! I just wish I could've seen the medal ceremony and heard Hatikva played for all the world to hear!

Mazal Tov! Kol Hakavod...you bring pride to the Jewish people and to Eretz Yisrael. May you have only Simcha and Hatzlacha!!

Mazal tov! amazing amazing amazing!!!!!! i'm at a loss for words. Iran- eat your non existant heart out! hehe. yay. AM YISRAEL CHAI!!!!! Thank you ISRAEL, you never let us down. may this be the start of many many more victories!

dear gal. i am happy for you. i hope you realize that all israelis helped you practice and gave you advice, therefore we feel part of your victory. in particular, i hope you don't forget all of us that went to machane aryeh with you. we love you!!!

Israel, we're so proud of you...next in line: Mashiah!

ahhh! woooooooo hooooo israel! mazal tov!

Mazel tov!

mazal tov! Kol hachavod! congats!!!!!!!!

mazal tov gal!!what a GREAT win!!!!! we are behind you all the way. enjoy the glory and continue to make us all proud. we hope you find GREAT meaning and purpose for the power that lies ahead.

Mazel Tov, GAL!! Thank you for your hard work and dedication...you have made us all proud. Can't wait to hear the "hatikvah"..... :)

Good Going. U are truly a macabee for israel. this is a huge accomplishment and we are all proud of you.

kol hakavod gever!!!! you've done us all real proud...

yaaaaaaaahOOOOO!!!!! kol hakavod!

Kol Hakavod Gal. You made us all proud. Meyer F.

MAZAL TOV....made a kiddush Hashem for the land of Israel...WELL DONE GAL!!!