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Reporter's notebook: At the Maccabiah, I found more than a medal

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Reporter Mathilda Heller won a bronze medal in 3x3 wheelchair basketball at the Maccabiah Games, an experience that brought her to tears.
  • Heller found purpose and a sense of belonging through parasports after a leg injury prevented her from returning to pre-surgery physical capacity.
  • She highlighted the exceptional sportsmanship and solidarity experienced at the Maccabiah, noting that participants cheered for every country's delegation, including chanting "Am Yisrael Chai" for Israel.

For reporter Mathilda Heller, competing in the Maccabiah Games transformed from a professional assignment into a deeply personal journey of triumph. Initially visiting the Israel ParaSport Center to interview staff, Heller found herself recruited for para tennis and subsequently joined the Israel national women's basketball team. Her participation culminated in winning a bronze medal in 3x3 wheelchair basketball, an achievement that moved her to tears.

I cried for many reasons when I donned that medal. One, because I have never won anything sportswise in my life. Two, because I was exhausted. And three, because I experienced there a sportsmanship that we, as Israelis, can no longer experience in the global arena.

— Mathilda HellerHeller reflects on the emotional significance of winning a bronze medal at the Maccabiah Games.

Heller's path to parasports began two years prior, following a diagnosis of a tumor in her femur at age 16, which led to a leg injury and the use of a wheelchair. Despite extensive rehabilitation, she could not regain her pre-surgery physical capacity, a realization that initiated a significant grieving process. However, sitting in a sports chair for the first time awakened a new sense of possibility, allowing her to "run again" with speed and power, turning her wheels into her legs.

The experience of competing in the Maccabiah Games, from the opening ceremony to the camaraderie, was profoundly impactful. Heller described the sportsmanship as something Israelis can no longer experience in the global arena. She recounted how, during the opening ceremony, other delegations cheered for Israel, high-fived them, and even chanted "Am Yisrael Chai," demonstrating a level of solidarity that resonated deeply.

My wheels became my legs. To this day, I can diagnose a problem with my chair as if it were my own foot. We are one and the same.

— Mathilda HellerHeller describes her deep connection and reliance on her sports wheelchair.

Winning the bronze medal was a bittersweet moment for Heller. It represented her first-ever sports award, a testament to her exhaustion and the culmination of her journey. She emphasized that the Maccabiah offered a unique display of sportsmanship, where participants saw each other not just as competitors but as equals, fostering an environment of mutual respect and support that transcended the scoreboard.

To them, we weren’t just equals but an

— Mathilda HellerHeller describes the supportive reception from other delegations at the Maccabiah Games opening ceremony.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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