It happened when the athletes visited an elementary school in Beijing.

The Shi Jia Primary School was assigned Israel as part of a citywide programme of partnerships between schools and Olympic countries.

As part of their preparation, the school has spent two years teaching the students about Israel and how to say "shalom".

It also had the students Skype with a school in Jerusalem.

"Many of our students wanted to ask their counterparts in Jerusalem about peace in their region," said English teacher Fu Rui.

And principal Zhuo Li, who has worked at the school for 46 years, said: "I was very excited when I found out in 2006 that my school would be partnered with Israel. I was really pleased.

"Israel is famous around the world for technological and agricultural advancements. They have a small population but they have pushed themselves, also in terms of culture and education, with so many people going to school."

As the Israelis were taken on an hour-long tour of the school, the swimmers' awe grew with each stop. The school features a recording studio and individual piano practise rooms, a large-capacity theatre with a superior tech booth, solar panels and windmills, a dormitory for 300-400 students and an underground mall-like parking garage.

For the Olympians - Itai Chammah, Guy Barnea, Tom Beera and Gal Nevo - the highlight clearly was the school's first-class sports facilities.

Descending into the well-equipped gymnasium, the swimmers pulled out their cameras to take pictures and video of the children screaming during their fencing lesson.

Chammah, who won a heat in the 200-metre backstroke but failed to qualify for the final, asked Zhuo if he could attend Shi Jia.

"Only if you teach swimming," the principal said with a laugh.

The swimmers were especially in their element at the pool, where the Beijing Olympic theme song was being pumped over the loudspeaker.