Keneo was linked to the Paris Olympics candidacy committee before the French capital was awarded the 2024 Summer Games.
The search was ordered by the French national financial prosecutor's office
Poland also recognized his achievements and awarded him the Commander Cross and the Knight Cross of the Order of Merit.
Despite his athletic achievements, Helfgott’s greatest passion was his work supporting fellow survivors.
“We believe that this is a tremendous gesture from the State of Israel, not only to recognize the brand of Special Olympics, but to recognize the inherent grit, courage, determination and talent..."
The Special Olympics were not active in Israel for many years, while the government funded the regular Olympics and Paralympics. But Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar gave it recognition.
A new book explores the stories of Smadja and his father Maurice. Moti Aksmit: "The story of Israeli judo begins with them."
Table tennis, pentathlon, fencing, judo and taekwondo are among the Olympic sports that have readmitted athletes from Russia and Belarus as neutrals.
Palestinians from the Black September militant group took members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage and murdered them in 1972.
The Russian government does not agree with the calls from many international ministers to ban Russian athletes from competing in the Paris 2024 Olympic games.