Starek, Guy

Sport:
shooting

Country Represented:
Israel

Years Competed:
1996, 2000, 2004

Olympic Info:
Starek is one of Israel's top shooters, competing in three Olympiads. At the 1996 Atlanta Games, he participated in the 50-meter free rifle three position event and finished 17th in the preliminaries with 1,164 points (only the top eight advanced to the finals). Starek also competed in the 50-meter free rifle prone event and finished tied for 26th place with 593 points.

At the 2000 Sydney Games, Starek competed in two shooting events. He finished in 25th place in the 50-meter rifle prone event with 592 points, and placed 32nd in the 50-meter rifle three position competition with 1,154 points.

Starek competed in the 50-meter rifle prone event in Athens 2004. He scored 99, 98, 98, 99, 99, 99 for a total of 592 in the qualification round. Guy finished 16th overall and failed to qualify for the final.

Starek was considered one of Israel's best bets for a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics. His high ranking and vast experience count for much in a sport where familiarity is king. Guy was hoping for winds in Athens since he is considered an expert in adjusting for wind factor. He started shooting at the age of 12 and says it was a natural choice for him "since there were always weapons in the house." He started out with Hapoel Jerusalem and now shoots for Hapoel Ma'abarot.

Career Highlights:
Starek, whose father was also a shooter, made his international debut in 1984, and only four years later set a world record in the men's 50-meter free rifle prone competition. Starek placed seventh in the 50-meter free rifle prone event at the 1995 World Championships and fourth at the 1998 World Championships. He also won the 50-meter free rifle at the 1997 World Cup in Milan.

Guy was in fine mettle in the 2002 World Cup in Atlanta, when he came in fourth narrowly missing out on the bronze. He continued his good form on the World Cup circuit in his second place finish at Shanghai in the free rifle event. In the 2003 World Cup he put on one of the best shooting displays of the year in the free rifle prone event with 598 points and an Israeli record in his overall performance. Starek enjoyed his best European Championships performance in 2003 as he finished fifth in the 50-meter rifle prone event. In 2004 the sharp-shooting Israeli won the World Cup meet in Athens with 599 points out of a possible 600 for a new Israeli record. Starek was ranked No. 1 in the 50-meter rifle prone event after that success and is now ranked 2nd in the world (as of August 8, 2004). On May 23 Guy won another meet in Denmark, this time while up against fierce wind.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. May 3, 1965

Origin:
Jerusalem, Israel

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