Attila Mihaly Kertesz: Israel's First Olympic Cross-Country Skier

Attila Mihaly Kertesz, a 37-year-old veterinarian originally from Hungary, is set to represent Israel in cross-country skiing at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Kertesz, who began training in the sport only in 2018, achieved a remarkable milestone by qualifying for the Olympics on December 7, 2023, at the FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Trondheim, Norway. His journey to this point has been fraught with challenges, including a complex immigration process and financial hurdles.

Times of Israel

Kertesz's path to Israeli citizenship began in 2015 when he and his family decided to move to Israel due to his wife’s Jewish heritage. After relocating to Tel Aviv in February 2020, their immigration process was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic. The family was forced to return to Hungary, and later, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, they settled in Thailand. They resumed their immigration efforts in 2023, but their scheduled flight to Israel on October 10 was canceled due to the Hamas attacks. Ultimately, they were able to finalize their immigration in the summer of 2024.

Times of Israel

Kertesz's pursuit of Olympic qualification has been self-funded, costing him approximately $140,000. He noted the financial burden of competing in a sport where professional athletes often possess multiple pairs of skis for varying conditions, while he has only one pair. Despite these challenges, Kertesz remained determined, competing in various races to secure his Olympic spot. He narrowly missed the Olympic quota in previous competitions but ultimately succeeded in Norway, an achievement that brought him to tears.

Times of Israel

As Kertesz prepares for his Olympic debut, he aims to inspire others in Israel to engage in winter sports. He emphasizes that age should not deter individuals from pursuing their dreams, stating, “I was 30 years old when I decided to do it on a competitive level. So it’s never too late if you have the motivation.” Kertesz acknowledges the competitive nature of the Olympics but believes he can hold his own against athletes from countries with less established winter sports programs, such as South Africa, Macedonia, Morocco, and Venezuela.

Times of Israel

Kertesz expressed gratitude for the support he has received from the Olympic Committee of Israel, which initially had reservations about his Olympic aspirations. He remarked, “At the beginning, I think they didn’t even think that it’s realistic that I would go to the Olympics. But they are very supportive at this point.”

Times of Israel

While Kertesz's journey has been largely inspirational, some critics question the viability of winter sports in a country known for its warm climate. However, Kertesz remains undeterred, focusing on his personal achievements and the potential to pave the way for future Israeli athletes in winter sports.

Times of Israel

• “It’s historic to be the first [Israeli] cross-country skier,” — Attila Mihaly Kertesz

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• “If I had known in the beginning how much it would cost, maybe I wouldn’t have even started,” — Attila Mihaly Kertesz

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• “No matter the ultimate result, he said, “we already achieved our dream to start at the Olympic Games.” — Attila Mihaly Kertesz

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• “there were very, very hard parts of this journey… my message would be that if you can dream it, you can achieve it.” — Attila Mihaly Kertesz

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Kertesz's story exemplifies resilience and determination, as he prepares to make history for Israel in the upcoming Winter Olympics.

Times of Israel