Sports
Jews in China roll out red carpet for tourists, athletes
Dini's kosher restaurant in Beijing plans to be open '4 hours a day, seven days a week, during the '008 Olympic Games. Alison Klayman
BEIJING – Gold medalists won't be the only ones climbing podiums in Beijing once the '008 Olympic Games are under way. Isaac Shapiro will be stepping up to celebrate his bar mitzvah.
Isaac, of Highland Park, Ill., will be called to the Torah at the Chabad House in Beijing on Aug. 16.
Isaac and his family are among the hundreds of Jewish tourists, athletes, dignitaries, and media expected to converge on the Chinese capital for the '008 Olympic Games, which begin Aug. 8.
Rhythmic gymnasts go to the mat with approach born in FSU
Irina Risenzon, a Ukrainian immigrant to Israel, practices her routine in preparation for the rhythmic gymnastics competition at the Beijing Olympics. Brian Hendler
NETANYA, Israel – On one side of the cavernous gym, six members of Israel's first Olympic rhythmic gymnastics team warm up in a circle, chatting softly in a mix of Russian and Hebrew while stretching their legs in effortless splits on the mat.
Nearby, Irina Risenzon, a fellow gymnast competing in the individual category, is trying to master a leap in which her head must tilt backward to meet a bent leg.
It's late afternoon and the young women, ranging in age from 17 to '', have been practicing for much of the day. In black T-shirts and black shorts, they appear to be in uniform, reinforcing a feeling of discipline and order that marks their training and routines.
Swimmers lead U.S. contingent of Jewish athletes in Beijing
Garrett Weber-Gale, who won the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic trials, is one of four Jewish swimmers on the American squad going to Beijing. A. Dawson/flickr
For Jason Lezak, Ben Wildman-Tobriner, and Garrett Weber-Gale, the marketing possibilities are endless — perhaps "The Three Chaverim" or "Jews in the Pool."
All three Jewish sprinters are hoping to make a splash as part of the U.S. men's swimming team heading to Beijing for the '008 Summer Olympics.
Not only will they be competing as individuals, but they are expected to make up three-fourths of the 4x100-meter freestyle relay team.
