The 18th Maccabiah Games were officially kicked off Monday evening with an official opening ceremony at Ramat Gan Stadium before an audience of 30,000. More than 7,000 athletes will compete in the "Jewish Olympics" in the coming 10 days.
The first Maccabiah Games were held in 1932.
18th Maccabiah Opening Ceremony. Athletes from around the world (Photo: Oren Aharoni)
Speaking at the ceremony were Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. In his speech, Netanyahu turned to the thousands of athletes: "Though you represent 65 countries in this Maccabiah, there is one country that you really represent – the State of Israel. I ask you to make aliyah."
"The Maccabiah is a holiday for the State of Israel," said Peres in his speech. "Contrary to war, athletic victory for one is not an athletic defeat of another because athletics is a war without victims. It is a wonderful draft for peace. It is good that athletes stay forever young."
"All represent Israel" (Photo: Oren Aharoni)
The Maccabiah torch was lit by American swimmer Jason Lezak, the Olympic gold medalist who opted to forego the world swimming championships in order to compete in Israel. "This is the best time to participate in the Maccabiah. I have already competed a number of times in the world championships, so it's important to me to experience this," explained Lezak.
Israeli windsurfing champ Shahar Zubari carried
the Israeli flag during the opening walk. The 2008 Israeli bronze medalist will not participate in this year's games because there is no sailing competition.
From a sports perspective, the event's crowning glory is Lezak's participation along with pole-vaulter Alex Averbukh. The Israeli track and field great will compete for the last time of his long and illustrious career.
The games will conclude on July 23.
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