Ofer Kalderon’s unbelievable victory photo
From the tunnels of Gaza – to riding a bike beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Ofer Kalderon rode in Paris alongside the owners of the Israel – Premier Tech team on Sunday as their special guest at the Tour de France.
Kalderon says: “I’m still in shock from this moment. Deeply moved, but I’m also torn: it’s hard knowing the hostages are still there and soldiers are being killed. Let’s bring them all home.”
It was an unimaginable scene: Kalderon – who just months ago emerged into daylight after 484 days in Hamas’ tunnels in Gaza – riding a bicycle up the Champs-Élysées in Paris toward the Arc de Triomphe, just hours before the peloton reached the finish line of the world’s greatest race – the Tour de France.
Those present for the occasion – the leaders of the Israeli cycling team Israel – Premier Tech, competing for the sixth time in its history – could not hold back tears.
Kalderon was there as their special guest, fulfilling a promise made to him while still in captivity. But more than anyone, it was Ofer himself who struggled to process the jarring contrast between darkness and light.
He adds: ”I’m still in shock that I’m here, on a bike, at the Tour de France. I’ve never been to Paris, certainly not on a bicycle. Everything seems so big to me… so wide… so many people… it’s all so much. I’m incredibly moved, being here with the team at the Tour de France.
”But I’m also torn: this excitement can’t be complete. Despite all the emotions flooding me now, it’s very hard for me to cope with what’s happening to me and to the people of Israel: we still have hostages in Gaza, our soldiers are there, soldiers are being killed. So nothing will be truly complete until all the hostages return home. It’s time to end this story and bring everyone back.”
For the owners of Israel – Premier Tech, Sylvan Adams and team founder Ron Baron, and everyone involved, yesterday’s moment was a closing of a circle that still doesn’t feel fully closed – even with the powerful image of Kalderon riding through the streets of Paris.
The promise had been made during a global day of cycling organized by the team, involving tens of thousands of cycling fans around the world. At the Tel Aviv velodrome event, it was Ofer’s son Erez – who had been released from captivity while his father, an avid cyclist, was still in the tunnels – who led the ride.
Sylvan Adams says: “We promised Erez and Ofer that he would join us at the Tour. And here it is, it happened. Hard to believe. It’s so symbolic. So special. He’s here beside us.”
Adams embraced Kalderon again and again. He adds: ”You have no idea how emotional this is for all of us. For us, this is a victory. But let’s be clear: until all the hostages return home, it won’t be a complete victory. That’s also why we brought Ofer to this tremendous stage – to declare that message from here.”
Indeed, Kalderon understood the weight of the moment and summoned all his strength to face it. Those who saw him in recent days riding in Paris and arriving at the VIP area of the Israeli team near the finish line, waiting for the riders to arrive – could sense him drawing on deep emotional reserves. Though he appeared joyful at times, it was clear that a heavy shadow still followed him. At his side were his partner and his close friend Shai Rave from his cycling team, who described Kalderon’s inner battle.
Rave says: ”Even months after his release, Ofer is still struggling to find stable ground under his feet. He hasn’t yet completed his return to life. But he’s on his way, and coming to Paris, riding across it, welcoming the team, and riding through the Arc de Triomphe – it’s all part of that process.
He’s still fire-scorched, but for me, seeing him here riding and smiling – it’s Ofer’s personal victory, and a victory over evil.”
Then came the moment when Kalderon broke free from the shadow. While riding, he picked up speed and raised his arm in the air – that familiar feeling of freedom every cyclist knows.
”I’m an optimistic person by nature,” he says.”That didn’t change in the 484 days in Gaza. In that sense, I stayed the same Ofer. Hope is what kept me going there. I believed I’d get out. I believed I’d ride again. And here I am, with that special feeling every cyclist knows. I held on to that feeling back there. I didn’t give up. And now I’m here.”
He wished to thank the team’s leaders Sylvan Adams and Ron Baron, “and all the people of Israel who stood behind me.”
