Israel's Mandel to swim despite father's death

By Ori Lewis

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli swimmer Alon Mandel said on Thursday he would stay in Beijing and compete despite the death of his father Kostia in an accident at the family's home on Wednesday.

"Of course it would be far easier and everybody thinks I should go back home (but) my mother said today that it was my father's wish that I should continue to compete at the Olympics and realize my dream," Mandel told Israel's Army Radio.

Mandel said when he was woken in the early hours about his father's death.

"At first I thought I had been woken to be told that I had tested positive ... Suddenly a phone was put to my face and my mother told me what had happened," said Mandel.

"It was a severe shock. Later I was given some sleeping pills but sleep will not help to erase what has happened," he said.

His mother Rina Mandel said Alon's sister, Maya, had arrived in Beijing to support her brother, who turns 20 on August 23.

Mandel, who trains with Michigan State University's swimmers in the United States, the team of multiple Olympic champion Michael Phelps, is due to swim in the 100 meters and 200 meters butterfly.

He is one of seven Israeli swimmers competing in the Olympics, none of whom are expected to reach a final.

(Writing by Ori Lewis; Editing by Ralph Gowling)