The Olympic Committee of Israel has unanimously voted to appoint former Israeli Olympic swimmer and current Israel Swimming Association Chair Adi Bichman as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Bichman was chosen following an extensive search, during which each of the final candidates pitched their vision, direction, and approach for the upcoming Olympic cycle.
The former Israeli Olympian will take over for outgoing CEO Gili Lustig, who will continue to oversee work for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, and will help with the initial preparations for Israel’s 2028 Los Angeles Games plans.
“The expectations are high, the challenges are many, but Israeli sport consistently proves itself. We will do everything to keep Israel at the forefront, expanding and strengthening the abilities and achievements of our athletes together with colleagues across the federations and supporting platforms.” Bichman said in a report from Israel Swimming.
According to The Jerusalem Post, Israel Olympic Committee President Yael Arad described Bichman as a “remarkable professional who has gone through every significant stage of development that prepares someone for leadership in sport.”
Bichman has also served in key positions within the Olympic Committee for two Olympic cycles, including as Chair of the Professional Committee for Paris 2024.
As an athlete, Bichman represented Israel at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where she finished 26th in the women’s 400 IM, 38th in the 400 freestyle, and 25th in the 800 free. She also competed at the 2000 Short Course World Championships (SCM), placing 21st in the 400 free and 11th in the 800 free. Bichman swam collegiately in the U.S. for Rice University in Houston, Texas.
Bichman holds a wide range of academic degrees, including in computer science, sports management, psychology, gender studies, and Olympic studies. She also acts as Overseer to the School of Health Professions at Ono Academic College in Kiryat Ono, Israel.
At the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Israel saw plenty of major swims, including a 9th-place finish in the men’s 4×200 freestyle relay. Anastasia Gorbenko was 10th in the women’s 400 IM semifinals, narrowly missing the finals in the event. Meron Cheruti also finished 10th in the semifinals of the men’s 50 freestyle.
Way to go Adi!!