May 5, 2002
< Olga Siroj. Photo by Boris Ravich
The Michael Cherney Fund has assisted a prominent Israeli athlete Olga Sirozh in her preparations for the 2004 Olympics.
Dear Mr. Cherney:
I am writing you in searching the support of your Fund. Israeli team will be going to Athens for the 2004 Summer Olympics. The training program is under way, and, in order to achieve good results, it must continue in a consistent manner up to the Olympic competition.
Israeli athletes have never been represented in equestrian events, especially in dressage. Traditionally, the level of Israeli equestrians was not considered on par with international standards. This is simply not true.
I have won numerous awards in international competitions on European and world levels. In 1982 I was the all-round Soviet national champion. In 1983, I won a high-level international competition in Yugoslavia. In 1984 I was on the Soviet Olympic team, which did not compete for "political reasons". Consequently, I took part in Goodwill Games, where I won second place and was part of the first-place team. (see enclosed documents)
I have been an Israeli citizen since 1991. I am a five-time national champion in dressage. In 2001, I took part in Eurasian Games in Moscow. This was the first time in history that our national team participated in an international competition on this level. I won first place both in personal and team contests and brought home a total of 9 (!) medals. Last year, I competed nationally in the Grand Prix program, which is Olympic level, and I won very high marks from the international-category referees.
Despite high athletic achievements, and my numerous attempts to obtain financial aid from Israeli official sources, I have never succeeded in doing so. Even in attending the Eurasian Games, I paid my own way. Only when I came back to Israel with the gold, I was compensated for half my expenses.
In order to train properly for 2004 Olympics, I need to travel frequently to European competitions. I need to purchase uniform and equipment, maintain a horse abroad, transport it to the competition sites, and pay entry fees. All of this makes for just a fraction of real-life expenses. I hope to find in you, Mr. Cherney, someone who really cares about Israel's international prestige, especially in the athletic arena, and I hope you will be able to help.
Sincerely,
Olga Sirozh
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