Hershko returns to the Games in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and has experienced “a little hostility” in competitions in the last nine months, including at the Grand Slam competition in Paris in February where she won a bronze medal. She says she is “ready” for any scenario; including boos from the crowd or an opponent who refuses to compete against her or shake her hand, but told the Times of Israel that “sports and politics don’t mix.”

"In the last Olympics, I faced off against someone from Saudi Arabia and we shook hands, it was a historic moment. I don’t think politics and sport have anything to do with each other. I will show up (in Paris) and I will do my best and I will come to do what I love, and I assume the same is true of my opponents," Hershko said. 

Expectations are high for the judoka to perform well on the mats in Paris. Hershko won a gold medal earlier this year at the European Championships in Zagreb and is ranked second in the world in her weight bracket according. Israel’s Olympic officials have singled her out as solid contender for a medal at the Games.  But Hershko said she tries not to the pressure affect her performance.

"My expectations from myself will always be the same: to come, to leave my heart on the mat, to fight, to represent my country with pride. The fact that I won a medal [last time], perhaps gives me a little more confidence to tell myself: ‘You’re on the right track, keep working hard, keep improving things, so you can get to the most important day in the best way possible," she said of the Olympic feat ahead of her. 

Since Israel won its first-ever Olympic medal in judo at the Barcelona Games in 1992, the sport has taken hold in the country, becoming one of the most popular after-school activities for kids. Israel has won 13 Olympic medals in history, and six of them are in judo.

In Paris, Israel has qualified an athlete in every single women’s weight category in judo, something only France, Italy and Japan have matched. Hershko is looking forward to competing in her individual match on 2 August before joining her teammates for the mixed team competition on 3 August.

"I’m really excited, I have butterflies in my stomach and a lot of adrenaline. It’s an exciting event, I’m very much looking forward to it and waiting for it."