Linoy Ashram, the 22-year-old Israeli athlete who won a gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has announced her retirement from the sport.
“Today, on this festive occasion, I am announcing my retirement from competition,” Ashram said during her press conference from Tel Aviv, according to The Times of Israel.
“Athletes need to know when to retire, and as far as I’m concerned, I achieved my dream. I reached my professional peak, and I decided that this is the right time to continue on the same path, but this time from the other side of the mat,” she said.
In August 2021, Ashram beat out the Russian sister duo of Arina and Dina Averina, who were gold medal favorites for the top spot in the all-around competition in Tokyo. She reflected on her Tokyo experience, and what would be the seminal moment of her career.
“About eight months ago I entered the competition hall in Tokyo to practice. My training session went really poorly.
I felt a tremor in my legs, I had a lot of thoughts going through my head. I kept telling myself ‘you’ve reached the moment you’ve been waiting for, the most important event of your career, the moment for which you have invested 15 years.’”
Ashram said she knew Tokyo was to be her last stop in a career which has seen her win nearly 100 medals in international competitions. She felt as though she carried the entire country of Israel onto the mat during her performance.
“I was scared it would all go down the drain. I was awfully stressed. I understood that this was the last stop of my career.”
“[I felt] I must not disappoint. I knew that the State of Israel was behind me and wanted my success, it greatly increased my motivation to succeed.”
Ashram joins windsurfer Gal Friedman and gymnast Artem Dolgoyat as the country’s only Olympic gold medalists.
Ashram thanked her family and the people of Israel for their support during her career. She also mentioned her coach, Ayelet Sussman.
Her coach, Eli Sussman, praised her for her achievements. He said she had gone through a long and arduous journey.
“The road was no less significant than the thing itself. I am excited about the road ahead. Our path continues together in setting new goals and dreams for Israeli gymnastics,” said Sussman in reference to the Israel Gymnastics Federation’s announcement that Ashram would join the coaching staff of the Israeli national team alongside her long-time coach.
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