Israeli and British veterans bond through sport
"We are brothers-in-arms, and in the same fights and achievements we've dealt with in our lives," said swimmer Phillip Eaglesham, a former Royal Marine commander
(Times Of Israel) – More than 180 British athletes and family members were in Israel from late May to early June for the third annual Veterans Games – a friendly competition between Israeli and UK war veterans, that included events in swimming, shooting and CrossFit.
The athletes competed at the Beit Halochem centre in Tel Aviv, while their children were invited to participate in a simultaneous football camp.
It was organised by Beit Halochem UK.
“We are brothers-in-arms, and in the same fights and achievements we’ve dealt with in our lives,” said swimmer Phillip Eaglesham, a former Royal Marine commander, who has used a wheelchair since contracting a near fatal fever during his service in Afghanistan 13 years ago.
“This is all about inspiring other people … and children with disabilities to get out and try.”
“‘Disabled’ is a word that able-bodied people use, [but] we are just as ‘able’ as anyone else; we just need to find different ways to do things.”
Swimmer Hanoch Budin, who won eight Paralympics medals, and lost an arm during fighting in Lebanon in 1982, is Israel’s ambassador to the Veterans Games.
He said, “We’re taking part in competitions [here], but the most important part is the meeting [between countries]”
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