A Jewish table tennis star who once defeated Rafael Nadal has missed the chance to represent her country at the Olympics because trials for the team take place over Shabbat.
Estee Ackerman, 18, has won multiple gold medals at domestic championships and ranks 33rd in the country, but will not be able to compete in the team selection because she is Orthodox and does not play sports on the Jewish day of rest.
She said she was crushed to not have the opportunity to try out.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was among groups calling for the sport’s governing body in the US to accommodate her, saying they would otherwise be disrespectful of her faith.
