Ziv Better (Hebrew: זיו בטר) is a former Paralympic swimmer representing Israel at the Paralympics.

Ziv Better
Personal information
Born (1965-05-14) 14 May 1965 (age 59)
Lehavot HaBashan, Israel
Sport
SportPara swimming
Disability classB2
Medal record
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Paralympic Games 0 2 5
Men's para swimming
Representing  Israel
Paralympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona 100 m backstroke B2[1]
Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona 400 m freestyle B2[2]
Bronze medal – third place 1992 Barcelona 200 m backstroke B2[3]
Bronze medal – third place 1992 Barcelona 400 m medley B1–2[4]
Bronze medal – third place 1996 Atlanta 50 m freestyle B2[5]
Bronze medal – third place 1996 Atlanta 100 m backstroke B2[6]
Bronze medal – third place 1996 Atlanta 100 m freestyle B2[7]

Better was born in Kibbutz Lehavot HaBashan. During his military service with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) he served as an officer in Golani Brigade. Better was injured in 1987 by a mine while attempting to rescue one of his soldiers, Doron Shaziri, while fighting in the Lebanon War.[8]

As a result of his injury he was blinded in his left eye and lost approximately 90% of his vision in his right eye. Shortly thereafter, he started swimming and soon reached a competitive level.[9][10]

By 2004, Better had participated in eight European championships, four world championships and four Paralympic Games.[11] At the 1992 Summer Paralympics in Barcelona, he won two silver medals and two bronze medals, and in the 1996 Summer Paralympics, he won three bronze medals. He has competed five Summer Paralympics from 1992 to 2008.

Better works as a Systems Analyst, and is married and a father of three.

References

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  1. ^ "Results Archive - Barcelona 1992 - Swimming - Mens 100 M Backstroke B2". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  2. ^ "Results Archive - Barcelona 1992 - Swimming - Mens 400 M Freestyle B2". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  3. ^ "Results Archive - Barcelona 1992 - Swimming - Mens 200 M Backstroke B2". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  4. ^ "Results Archive - Barcelona 1992 - Swimming - Mens 400 M Medley B1 2". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  5. ^ "Results Archive - Atlanta 1996 - Swimming - Mens 50 M Freestyle B2". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  6. ^ "Results Archive - Atlanta 1996 - Swimming - Mens 100 M Backstroke B2". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  7. ^ "Results Archive - Atlanta 1996 - Swimming - Mens 100 M Freestyle B2". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  8. ^ "זיו בטר, בן 51, מתל אביב" [Ziv Better, 51, from Tel Aviv] (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  9. ^ Etsion, Udi; Cohen, Sagi (1 June 2016). "Israeli device is eyes for vision-impaired". Ynetnews.com.
  10. ^ "De combatientes en el Líbano a medallistas paralímpicos" [From fighters in Lebanon to Paralympic medalists]. ynetespanol.com (in Spanish). Translated by Wichter, Tom. 26 May 2020.
  11. ^ "תכינו מקום למדליות. הסגל הישראלי למשחקים הפראלימפיים" [Make room for medals. The Israeli team to the Paralympic Games]. ynet.co.il (in Hebrew). 17 September 2004.
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