ISRAEL21c

Widely considered the best chance for a medal in gymnastics, 25-year-old Alex Shatilov specializes in the floor exercise, for which he has won several medals at world and European championships.

Shatilov, who is unusually tall for a gymnast measuring 6ft, was born in Uzbekistan and began his gymnastics training there at age five. He immigrated to Israel in 2002.

In 2008, Shatilov represented Israel in the Summer Olympics where he qualified to the final. In 2010 he suffered a serious knee injury, but recovered to take bronze and silver medals at World Championships in 2011.

In May, Shatilov won the bronze medal at the European Championships.