Yael Arad

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Records

Yael Arad's achievements are historic on multiple levels. She is the first Israeli athlete to win an Olympic medal, a feat that ended a 44-year drought for the country. She later became the first woman to lead the Olympic Committee of Israel, breaking gender barriers in sports governance. Her 2026 Chaim Herzog Prize recognized her lifelong service to Israel, and her induction into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame cements her legacy as one of the most important figures in Jewish sports history.

AwardsYael Arad's most significant award is the Olympic silver medal she won in 1992. She has also received the Chaim Herzog Prize in 2026 for her contributions to Israel, and she was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Her leadership roles with the IOC and the Olympic Committee of Israel are further recognition of her impact on sports.

Honours & Distinctions

Chaim Herzog Prize

State of Israel·2026

Awarded for her unique and outstanding contributions to the state, honoring her legacy from the 1992 Olympic win to her current leadership roles.

Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

Jewish Sports Hall of Fame·1993

Inducted for being the first Israeli Olympic medalist.

IOC Member

International Olympic Committee·2023

Appointed as a member, recognizing her contributions to the Olympic movement.

Rankings & Lists

#Top 10

Greatest Israeli Athletes of All Time

Various Israeli sports publications·2020

Records & Feats

First Israeli to win an Olympic medal

Historic First·1992

Won silver in judo at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the first medal for Israel in any sport.

First woman to head the Olympic Committee of Israel

Career Milestone·2024

Elected president in 2024, breaking a gender barrier in Israeli sports governance.