This 37-Year-Old Veterinarian Just Made Israeli Olympic History

When you think of Israel with its mild climate, you probably don’t think of cross-country skiing.

But 37-year-old Dr. Attila Mihály Kertész, a veterinarian who immigrated from Hungary, just became the first Israeli to compete in that sport at the Olympics. Kertész took part in a 10-kilometer (over six miles) freestyle race on Friday, Feb. 13. And even though he finished second-to-last, ranking 110th, at Milan Cortina, he will forever be part of Israeli Olympic history.

“It’s good to give back to my nation,” he shared in an Instagram video, “to be the first cross-country skier as an Israeli in the Olympics. It’s an achievement, and I think it might be inspiring for young Israeli athletes. And also because I’m 37, I hope it will be inspiring for older athletes who think that it’s too late to start any kind of sport. And it’s never too late. You have no boundaries — just do it.”

Kertész started cross-country skiing in 2018. He was a professional kayaker in his youth, and while he loves cycling and running, he wanted a sport that would exercise both his upper and lower body. Cross-country skiing was the perfect solution.

Around that time, he decided to immigrate to Israel, but encountered many hurdles along the way. In 2020, he had to leave the country because he didn’t have sufficient paperwork; he attempted again in 2023, and even after Oct. 7, 2023, he persisted. The day he became a citizen in 2024 was one of the happiest of his life, he said.

The following day, he reached out to Israel’s Olympic Committee, offering to compete for the country. Just four weeks after that, he was competing for Israel in European races.

Now, he’s shown the world that the small nation can participate in one of the most grueling and demanding winter sports. As they say in Hebrew, kol hakavod, and yasher koach, Dr. Kertesz! We hope to see you competing at the 2028 Summer Olympics, too!