Uc_Hilal

Sport:
track and field

Country Represented:
Israel

Years Competed:
1996, 2000

Olympic Info:
One of Israel's top track and field athletes, Matusevich competed at two Olympics in the high jump. After finishing 17th at the 1996 Atlanta Games, he dramatically improved his performance at the Sydney Games. During the final, pouring rain hampered the jumpers and the competition was wide open. Konstantin eventually placed fifth, the highest ever for an Israeli in track and field, with a jump of 2.32 meters. The height was the same as the silver and bronze medalists, but Matusevich cleared the height on the third jump, whereas the medalists cleared it on their first attempt. He said: "I had a good competition but the others were also good. I'm disappointed at not being able to bring back a medal, but I tried everything. I'm very grateful for the whole country's support."

Career Highlights:
Konstantin, who emigrated to Israel from the Ukraine in 1995, is not Jewish but got to Israel via his Jewish wife. He placed 23rd in 1995, 7th in 1997, and 20th in 1999 in the high jump at the World Championships. His personal best of 2.36 meters, which he cleared in January 2000, ranked him second in the world going into the Olympics, and also beat his own Israeli national high jump record. He won the high jump at the 1997 Maccabiah Games.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Feb. 25, 1971

Origin:
Cherkass, Ukraine

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