Adi Bichman brings decades of experience in Israeli sport – as an athlete and executive –into her new position as CEO of the Israel Olympic Committee. (photo credit: Ono Academic College/Courtesy)JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFFSun, November 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM UTC·3 min readFormer Olympic swimmer Adi Bichman has been unanimously appointed CEO of Israel’s Olympic Committee as the country begins its push toward the 2028 Games.
The Israel Olympic Committee has unanimously selected Adi Bichman as its next CEO, appointing the former Olympic swimmer and current chair of the Israeli Swimming Association to lead the organization ahead of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe search committee – chaired by Israel Olympic Committee President Yael Arad and joined by Vice President Amit Oberkovich and Treasurer Moshe Goldstein – reached its decision after an extensive review process that included final interviews with three candidates, each presenting their professional vision, strategic direction, and marketing approach for the coming Olympic cycle.
Arad said the committee was impressed not only by the strength of the overall pool of applicants but by Bichman’s comprehensive experience.
“Adi Bichman is a remarkable professional who has gone through every significant stage of development that prepares someone for leadership in sport,” Arad said, noting the unanimous vote in her favor.
She added that the role demands “multidimensional capabilities” and that Bichman will be expected to guide Israeli Olympic sport through major competitive and organizational challenges.
Paris 2024 Olympics - Rhythmic Gymnastics, Fans of Israel cheer on and hold the Israeli flag. August 9, 2024. (credit: MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS)“Her wide-ranging experience, her background as an Olympian, and her deep understanding of the Olympic ecosystem place her in an excellent starting position to lead the organization in the years ahead.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBichman rose through the ranks as a high-performance athlete
Bichman, 42, who rose through the ranks as a high-performance athlete and competed internationally at the highest levels, has since held a number of senior positions in Israeli sport. She coached competitive teams, worked with “Athena” to advance women’s sports, directed a local authority’s sports department, and has served two Olympic cycles on the Israel Olympic Committee’s executive board, including a term as chair of its professional committee during the Paris 2024 cycle.
For three years she was part of the elite sports administration, and for the past two years she has chaired the Israeli Swimming Association.
She is also active in international sports forums. Alongside her athletic and administrative background, Bichman holds academic degrees in computer science, sports management, psychology, gender studies, and Olympic studies, and currently oversees the School of Health Professions at Ono Academic College.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementUpon her appointment, Bichman said she was honored by the committee’s confidence.
“I am deeply excited to receive the trust of the Israel Olympic Committee,” she said. “It is a great privilege to help lead Israeli sport to new heights, even in a complex and dynamic era.”
She emphasized the scale of the challenges ahead but expressed confidence in the direction of Israeli athletes and sports institutions.
“The expectations are high, the challenges are many, but Israeli sport consistently proves itself. We will do everything to keep Israel at the forefront, expanding and strengthening the abilities and achievements of our athletes together with colleagues across the federations and supporting platforms.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBichman added that she enters the role “with a profound sense of mission,” thanking the search committee for its trust and outgoing CEO Gili Lustig “for his boundless work and dedication.”
Bichman will succeed Lustig, who is stepping down after a distinguished career. In the coming months, he will continue to oversee preparations for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games and help lay the groundwork for Israel’s campaign toward Los Angeles 2028.
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