Israeli Athlete Ester Roth-Shahamorov

Take a look at the photograph from Esther Roth-Shahamorov's Retirement Ceremony, 1983 and read the information about it.

Write a short summary based on the following questions:

• Who was Esther Roth-Shahamorov?
• List her career highlights.
• What difficulties did she face during this time?
• Why did the Israeli national athletic association hold this ceremony in her honor? Do you think that every athlete is honoured in this way?
• What were Roth-Shahamorov's feelings about the ceremony? Why did she say that she only agreed to the ceremony "for the sake of the wider public"?
• How do you think the Israeli public would have reacted to her retirement?
• In the 1972 Munich Olympic, Roth-Shahamorov qualified for the 100 meter hurdles semi-finals, but she withdrew from the games together with other members of the Israeli Olympic team.
• Why was this? What happened at the Munich Olympics?

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• Have you ever attended a retirement or farewell party or event?
• What were the feelings of the participants?
• Choosing to be a professional athlete can be even more difficult for women. Why?
• Are you an athlete? Are you interested in becoming professional? What challenges are you facing?

Choose one of the following activities:

• Write a letter to Roth-Shahamorov explaining how inspirational she is to you.
• Choose a female athlete you know and admire. Write them a letter explaining why.
• Write an article about an female athlete you value, describing her achievements.