Jacob Ben-Arie (Hebrew: יעקב בן אריה) is an Israeli paralympic champion.

Ben-Arie was born in 1950 in Kibbutz Naan, grandson of Yerachmiel Tzimbal. Shortly after he was born the family moved to live in Kibbutz Gesher, where he contracted polio in 1952. In 1960 he moved with his family to Givatayim and since 1962 he became active at the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled.

Between 1968 - 1976, Ben-Arie completed a degree in Biology at Tel Aviv University and studied for MA in Psychology and Biomechanics at New York University. Alongside his studies he continued to practice in swimming, wheelchair basketball and athletics. Throughout the years he took part in several Stoke Mandeville Games and Paralympic Games.

During 1978 - 1998 Ben-Arie worked at "Telrad" telecommunications company, in which he was promoted up to deputy CEO. Following his retirement he was asked to become director of the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled, a position he is holding since 2002.

External links

• Ben Arie's listing at the International Paralympic Committee's website