For more than 150 years the modern Olympic movement has been a worldwide symbol of peace and unity through sport, culture, education and understanding. The Israeli Bobsled Federation is proud and honored to be part of this movement and its goals. As Israel’s youngest Olympic Association, and only its second involving Winter sports, this is an exciting time for IBF as we pioneer new territory for the youth of Israel.

Our ultimate goal, like that of the Olympic movement itself is "to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play."

Inspired by a love of speed and winter sports, John Frank and Aaron Zeff took their first slide down the bobsled track in 2001. They were hooked immediately, and in 2002 founded the Israeli Bobsled Federation, creating the first ever governing body for this sport in Israel. Simultaneously, a third member was added to the team, David Greaves from Winnipeg, Canada. In addition to a passion for excelling in bobsled, John and Aaron and David are committed to providing the youth of Israel the opportunity to train and compete in this sport. As in many countries with limited snow and without an ice track to practice, the Israeli Bobsled Team began training with the Alberta Bobsled Association in Calgary, Alberta in Canada, home to one of the premier tracks and training facilities in the world.

The Israeli Bobsled Team is training to compete in the 2002-03 Americas Cup, the 2003-04 Europa Cup, the 2004-05 World Cup and finally the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. In 2003, IBT was sanctioned by the international governing body of bobsled, the Federation Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing (FIBT) and officially recognized by the Israel Olympic Committee. For the first time in history, Israel is now eligible to compete in the sport of bobsled. The Israeli Bobsled Team has set its sights on the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turino, Italy.

SOURCE: www.fibt.com