TEAM GB’s squad all touched down safely in Israel and are preparing for the challenges ahead over the next two weeks.

Three plane loads left Britain heading for Israel on Sunday carrying an excited band of competitors in a host of sports…albeit one arriving four hours later than expected because of a problem with one of the aircraft.

David Kyte, GB Head of Delegation said: “Everybody’s here and settled well at pre-camp. On Tuesday night there wasa gala get-together dinner and dance at Kfar Maccabiah at Ramat Gan, where Team GB were addressed by Matthew Gould, the first Jew ever to be appointed as British Ambassador to Israel and Yair Hamburger, chairman of the Maccabi World Union. Then the team were able to let their hair down with a session of dancing.”

It has not all been fun and frolics for the squad though. Serious training has been underway and already the squad’s doctors and physios have been called into action to deal with minor scrapes and strains.

“Nothing too serious so far,” said Kyte.

“All the squad have been hard at it and now it’s all systems go for the days ahead.

“In regards to medals, we would obviously like to come home with as many, if not more, than 2009, but we just want to do British Jewry proud.”