Like grandad, like granddaughter

THE 2017 Maccabiah Games is set to be one of the most special Games in its 85-year history because there are more than 500 Australian athletes attending.

It will be extra special for the Weill family, who will not only be supporting 15-year-old Australian swimmer, but her 81-year-old grandfather Asher who will compete for Israel in the same pool.

“Never had I ever thought that I would be competing at the same competition as my 81-year-old grandad,” Ashley told The AJN.

“I think the fact that he is competing is truly amazing and inspirational and what makes it even better is that I will be there right next to him.”

Asher has previously won gold medals at the Maccabiah Games in the backstroke event and will look to add to his tally in the same event. His granddaughter Ashley will be looking to follow in his footsteps competing in the same backstroke event among others, with the novelty of the situation not escaping the teenager.

“Going into competitions I like to try to focus on the process of racing more than the outcome,” Ashley said.

“Admittedly the idea of us both having a medal sounds pretty cool.”

Ashley said the middle man, Ilan – the 15-year-old’s father and Asher’s son – will be sitting in the stands cheering on both Australia and Israel.

“I think that seeing both of us race will be very special for him.

“Something like this is very rare and I’m sure that there may be a few tears as he see us both walking out in our respective delegations.”

Although Ashley will be donning the green and gold while her grandfather proudly wears blue and white, at the end of the day they are racing on behalf of the ‘Weill team’.

“At first it didn’t really occur to me that we would be racing for different countries,” Ashley said.

“In the end, family is family and the fact that we’re racing for different countries won’t change anything.”

DANIEL SHANDLER

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