Twice Gaia

At the end of December 2021, I took part in photographing the Israeli National Championship in Para-Swimming, held at Beit Halochem, Tel Aviv, photos published by the Israeli Paralympic Sports Association.

I present here a different kind of photographic work, composed of two photographs that caught my eye — both of the young swimmer Gaia Zontag, who competed in the Women’s 50m Backstroke. During the race, Gaia passed by me for only a few seconds, but my camera managed to capture in her an almost indescribable magic.

After some deliberation, I chose to place the two photographs side by side — as if Gaya were gazing at her own reflection in a mirror. The thought of Twice Gaia crossed my mind.

And then I discovered that Gaia has a healthy twin sister — Mika — and I got chills.