Ami Omer Dadaon
Ami Omer Dadaon is an Israeli Paralympic swimmer. He has won four gold medals at the Paralympics, ten gold medals at the World Championships, and nine gold medals at the European Championships. He represented Israel at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Paralympics.
Early life
Dadaon was born in Haifa, Israel. He was born prematurely and was quadriplegic and had cerebral palsy from birth. He lives in Kiryat Ata, Israel.Swimming career
Dadaon started swimming when he was six years old. He began swimming at the Israel Association for Children with Disabilities as rehabilitation therapy. In December 2017, he was awarded the Israeli Sports Award for Young Para Athlete of the Year.Dadaon made his World Championships debut for Israel in 2019 and won a silver medal in the 150 metre individual medley and a bronze medal in the 200 metre freestyle.
2020 Summer Paralympics
Dadaon represented Israel at the 2020 Summer Paralympics and won gold medals in the 50 metre freestyle S4 and [Swimming at the 2020 Summer Paralympics – Men's 2022 World Para Swimming Championships – Men's 200 metre freestyle|200 metre freestyle S4|200 metre freestyle S4], and a silver medal in the 150 metre individual medley SM4 event. He set a world record in the 200 metre freestyle event with a time of 2:44.84.2022–2023
Dadaon competed at the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships and won gold medals in the 150 metre individual medley, 50 metre freestyle and 200 metre freestyle. He again competed at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships and won gold medals in the 150 metre individual medley, 50 metre freestyle, 100 metre freestyle and 200 metre freestyle. He set a world record in the 100 metre freestyle event with a time of 1:18.94.2024 Summer Paralympics
Dadaon represented Israel at the 2024 Summer Paralympics and won a gold medal in the 100 metre freestyle S4. He established a new Paralympic record in the heats with a time of 1:19.33. He said: ""I will sing Hatikvah. That's all I wanted – to represent the people of Israel in this period and to give them hope."He also won a gold medal in 200 metre freestyle S4, a silver medal in 150 metre individual medley SM4, and a bronze medal in the 50 metre freestyle S4 events. After he won his silver medal following the news that six Israeli hostages had been found dead in Gaza, he said: "It wasn’t an easy day for the people of Israel. It affected me, I live for Israel and for our country. We’re fighting on so many different fronts, but, at least on my own front, I hope I succeeded."