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Israeli Olympic star Artem Dolgopyat wins European gold
The 29-year-old claimed his third European floor title and is now targeting October’s World Championships
Israeli gymnast Artem Dolgopyat has won European gold in the floor exercise, adding another major title to one of the most successful careers in Israeli sport.
The 29-year-old scored 14.466 points in Friday’s final at the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, to secure his third European title.
The victory adds to a medal haul which already includes Olympic and world golds and prompted fresh debate in Israel over whether Dolgopyat should now be regarded as the country’s greatest-ever athlete.
Israeli newspaper Ynet hailed him as “the greatest in history” following his latest triumph.
Dolgopyat, who competes for Maccabi Tel Aviv, previously won European floor gold in 2020 and 2022, alongside four silver medals in 2018, 2019, 2023 and 2024.
His biggest success came at the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, when he won floor gold – becoming only the second Israeli in history to win an Olympic gold medal.
He returned to the Olympic podium in Paris three years later, taking silver.
Dolgopyat also became world champion in 2023, having previously won silver at the World Championships in 2017 and 2019.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the gymnast after his latest victory, saying: “Artem, you bring tremendous honour and national pride to the State of Israel time and again.”
Israel Gymnastics Federation chairman Avi Sagi also praised Dolgopyat, who also competed in the all-around and helped Israel finish 10th in the team competition.
Speaking after his victory, he acknowledged that competing at the highest level was becoming tougher as he approaches 30.
“I’m already at an age where the performances are harder for me, especially after competing in the all-around. Recovery is difficult, so my routine in the final was less good,” he told Ynet.
“I’m 29 and I have to compete against younger rivals who do things I can’t do anymore.”
But Dolgopyat insisted he remains capable of competing with the world’s best.
“I know I’m still at the top and I proved it again, otherwise I wouldn’t be competing.”
For the Ukrainian-born gymnast, who moved to Israel as a child, standing on top of the podium carried particular significance.
“For me, hearing Hatikva again and again is the greatest thing there is,” he said.
Dolgopyat will now turn his attention to the World Championships in Rotterdam, before beginning the longer road towards what could be his third Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
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