Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
“Congratulations to the three-time European Gymnastics Championship floor exercise champion, Artem Dolgopyat. Artem, you bring immense honor and national pride to the State of Israel, time and time again.”
Assessment
Netanyahu's personal congratulations to Artem Dolgopyat signals the government's investment in sports as a source of national pride. Dolgopyat's three European titles in floor exercise put Israeli gymnastics on the map. Watch for whether this leads to increased funding or public attention for Olympic and artistic gymnastics programs.