Alex Shatilov. Photo: Noa Cafri.

Israeli gymnast Alex Shatilov, 25, finished his floor exercise in third place during the qualifying round at the London Olympics on Saturday with 15.633 points, advancing to the finals of that event. In the all-around competition, he scored 89.032 points, placing seventh.

“I am very pleased with my performance, but I still have a lot to work on,” Shatilov said, according to Israel Hayom. “Obviously I have a good shot at a medal, but everyone who has made it to this level is equally good, more or less. Why did I smile a lot? I was very happy with my exercises.”

Overall, nine Israeli athletes competed on the first day of the games in everything from gymnastics to swimming.