The European champion in swimming, Anastasia Gorbenko, is going to the Olympics

The mayor of Kiryat Bialik, Eli Dukorski, held a festive welcome ceremony in honor of Anastasia Gorbenko, a Maccabi Kiryat Bialik Swimming Association initiate and member of the Israeli swimming team, after winning the title of European Champion.

At the ceremony, which was held in the presence of members of the Maccabi Kiryat Bialik Association, the mayor presented Anastasia Shay with a certificate of appreciation and expressed his pride for her impressive achievements: "Anastasia is a great source of pride for the city of Kiryat Bialik and for the entire State of Israel," said the mayor.

"She is a role model for many young people, and she proves that with hard work, perseverance and talent, you can achieve incredible achievements."

Anastasia thanked the mayor for the warm support:

I am very excited for the Olympics in Paris. I will do my best to represent the State of Israel and the city of Kiryat Bialik with honor.

Anastasia Gorbenko, 20 years old, won for the third time in a row a gold medal in the 200 meter individual medley at the European Championships held about two weeks ago in Belgrade. Gorbenko did it with 2:09.75 minutes.

This is Gorbenko's third gold medal in a row in this event at the European Championships. Now all eyes will be on the Olympic Games in Paris. Anastasia will compete in the Olympic Games as part of the Israeli swimming team.

Mayor, Eli Dukorski:

You are going to represent Israel in a very challenging time. We were very moved by your gesture to your classmate, a resident of the city, Matan Angrest, who was kidnapped in Gaza. We wish for Matan's return home so that he can watch you compete and win from his home in Kiryat Bialik. We wish you, Anastasia, great success in the Olympics!