Tomer Frankel

As a member of Israel's national swimming team, Frankel pursued an opportunity to combine elite athletic training with university study in the United States, ultimately choosing Indiana University.[3] He described the decision in his own words: "A few years ago, I realized that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me on all levels of life — in school, in swimming, in a crazy adventure not everyone is able to embark on."[3]

Frankel described Indiana University as one of the strongest swimming programs in the United States and expected to train daily alongside Olympic champions, world champions, and Olympic coaches.[3] He regarded academic excellence as equally important to his development in the pool and described the move as an opportunity for personal growth beyond his comfort zone.[3] He had originally planned to begin his studies at an American university after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but proceeded with the plan even after those Games were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.[3]

Frankel was listed among Israel's swimmers at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which were held in 2021 following their postponement because of the coronavirus pandemic.[1] He was scheduled to compete in the men's 100-meter butterfly qualification alongside fellow Israeli swimmer Gal Cohen Groumi, with both seeking advancement to the medal rounds.[4]

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Frankel appeared in multiple events. In the men's 100-meter freestyle, he finished second in his heat but ranked 21st overall and did not advance to the semifinal.[5] He also competed in the men's 100-meter butterfly and failed to advance to the semifinal.[6] As part of the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay, Frankel swam alongside Gal Cohen Groumi, Denis Loktev, and Alexey Glivinskiy; the team finished 14th overall and did not qualify for the final.[7]

His appearances at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 made Paris his second Olympic Games.[1][2]

Reporting on the composition of Israel's Paris 2024 men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay final differs slightly across sources. One Times of Israel report and one Jerusalem Post report disagree on whether the fourth member of the final team was Gal Cohen Groumi or Eran Cohen Groumi, though other Jerusalem Post reporting sides with Gal Cohen Groumi.[5][8][2] The final result of ninth place in 7:10.22 is consistent across all accounts, and the historic significance of the team's qualification for the first Israeli Olympic final in the event is not in dispute.

Frankel's leading Olympic team result came in the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay at Paris 2024. Israel qualified for the final—the first time an Israeli team had reached an Olympic final in that event—after placing fifth in its heat and eighth overall in 7:08.43. The morning performance established an Israeli record.[8][2]

Frankel joined the lineup for the final in place of Eitan Ben Shitrit, who had swum in the qualifying round.[5][2] The final quartet of Denis Loktev, Bar Soloveychik, Tomer Frankel, and Gal Cohen Groumi finished ninth and last in 7:10.22, 10.79 seconds behind Great Britain.[8][2] The result made Frankel a member of the first Israeli relay team to reach an Olympic final in the event.[2]