Swimmer Jonathan Koplev swam to gold in the men’s 50-meter backstroke at the Euro 2012 European Swimming Championships, with a personal best of 24.73 seconds. Koplev made history in becoming the first Israeli to hold a Euro contest swim title.

And it wasn’t just Koplev who showed Israel’s swimming power.

Another first was recorded when Koplev was joined on the winners’ podium by another Israeli swimmer, Guy Barnea, who won bronze in the same meet with a time of 25.15 seconds.

Italy’s Mirco Di Tora won the silver medal.

Meanwhile, Israeli swimmer Yakov Toumarkin captured the bronze medal in the men’s 100-meter backstroke.

For news, features, videos and background information on the athletes, please visit olympics.israel21c.org.

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