2017 Maccabiah Games

20th Maccabiah

Logo for the 20th Maccabiah Games
(המכביה ה-20)
Nations participating 85[1][2]
Debuting countries The Bahamas, Cambodia, the Cayman Islands, Haiti, Malta, Morocco, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Trinidad (according to the official Games website Morocco debuted in 2013, and it does not list The Bahamas, Cambodia, Haiti, Malta, the Philippines, or Trinidad among participating nations).[3][1]
Athletes participating 10,000[4]
Events 45 sports
Opening city Jerusalem
Opening ceremony July 6, 2017
Closing ceremony July 17, 2017[5]
Main venue Teddy Stadium
<  19th Maccabiah (2013) 21st Maccabiah (2021)  >

The 2017 Maccabiah Games (Hebrew: משחקי המכביה 2017‎‎), also referred to as the 20th Maccabiah Games (Hebrew: המכביה ה-20‎‎), were the 20th edition of the Maccabiah Games. They took place from July 4 to 17, 2017, in Israel. The Maccabiah Games are open to Jewish athletes from around the world, and to all Israeli citizens regardless of their religion. A total of 10,000 athletes competed, a Maccabiah Games record, making the 2017 Maccabiah Games the third-largest sporting competition in the world (after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup).[1][6] The athletes were from 85 countries, also a record.[1] Countries represented for the first time included the Bahamas, Cambodia, the Cayman Islands, Haiti, Malta, Morocco, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Trinidad (according to the official Games website Morocco debuted in 2013, and it does not list The Bahamas, Cambodia, Haiti, Malta, the Philippines, or Trinidad among participating nations). The athletes competed in 45 sports.

History

The Maccabiah Games were first held in 1932.[7] In 1961, they were declared a "Regional Sports Event" by, and under the auspices and supervision of, the International Olympic Committee.[8][9][10]

Opening ceremonies

On July 6, 2017, the opening ceremonies took place at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, with 10,000 competitors in front of 30,000 spectators.[11][12][13] Seven athletes took part in the torch lighting ceremony, including Olympic gold-medal-winner swimmers American Anthony Ervin and Frenchman Fabien Gilot.[14] Five Israelis participated in the torch lighting ceremony: Olympic medalists in judo Ori Sasson and Yarden Gerbi, three-time Olympic gymnast Neta Rivkin, National Basketball Association player Omri Casspi, and Paralympic world champion rower Moran Samuel.[14][15]

The delegation march took place before Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and others.[12][15] British Prime Minister Theresa May and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to the crowd by means of pre-recorded videos.[16]

Canadian ice hockey player Avi Steinberg proposed to his girlfriend Rachel on stage, and then married her under a chuppah on stage minutes later.[17] Singers who performed included Lior Narkis, Ester Rada, Omer Adam, Victoria Hanna, and Marina Maximillian.[12][17]

Notable medalists

American three-time Olympic champion swimmer Anthony Ervin won gold medals in the 50-meter freestyle (with a time of 22.05 seconds), the 100-meter freestyle (with a time of 49.76 seconds), and the 4×100m medley relay (with the Americans clocking 3:41.82).[18][19] American B. J. Johnson won gold medals in the men’s 100m breaststroke, with a time of 1:01.27 (a new Maccabiah record), as well as in the 200m breaststroke, with a time of 2:11.60.[20][21] In the special 4x50m relay race between Israeli and American all-star teams, American Olympic champions Lenny Krayzelburg (four Olympic golds), Jason Lezak (four Olympic golds), and Ervin, with masters swimmer Alex Blavatnik, swam a time of 1:48.23 and defeated Israeli Olympians Guy Barnea, Yoav Bruck, Eran Groumi, and Tal Stricker, who had a time of 1:51.25.[22] American Olympic fencer Eli Dershwitz won the gold medal in sabre.[23]

Canadian Olympian Josh Binstock and his partner won the gold medal in men’s beach volleyball.[24] Canadian Pan American Games medalist Sasha Gollish won gold medals running in the 800m, 1,500m, and 5,000m events.[25] Cricketer Zac Elkin won a gold medal with Team South Africa, and cricketer Mark Bott won a silver medal with Great Britain.[26]

Israeli-American Olympic swimmer Andrea Murez (competing now as an Israeli having moved to Israel in 2014) won the women’s 100m freestyle, with a time of 55.15 seconds, and set a new Games record as she also won the 200m freestyle in 1:59.80.[27][19][28] Israeli Olympic swimmer Keren Siebner won the 200m butterfly with a time of 2:16.57.[20] Israeli Olympic swimmer Amit Ivry (59.37) and Siebner (1:00.01) won the gold and silver medals in the women’s 100m butterfly.[27] Ivry, Siebner, Shahar Menahem, and Or Tamir set an Israeli national record in the women’s 4×100m medley relay with a time of 4:11.67 as they won a silver medal.[18] Israeli Olympian and former European Junior Swimming Champion in the 100m backstroke Yakov Toumarkin won the men’s 200m backstroke in a time of 2:00.17.[20]

Israeli Olympic judoka Gili Cohen won the gold medal in the under-57 kg judo event.[19] Israeli Olympian Misha Zilberman won a gold medal in badminton mixed doubles.[29] Israeli javelin thrower Marharyta Dorozhon won the women’s competition with a throw of 63.07m, qualifying her for the 2017 World Championships in Athletics.[30] Israeli individual rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram, the 2015 Rhythmic Gymnastics Grand Prix all-around silver medalist, won all five gold medals (the all-around, ball, ribbon, hoop, and clubs).[30] Israeli soccer player Shani David scored a goal in the final for Israel as it beat Team USA to win a gold medal in women's soccer.[31]

Participating countries

The Maccabiah Games are open to Jewish athletes from around the world, and to all Israeli citizens regardless of their religion.[32] Some delegations have more relaxed rules about participation; for example, the Brazil junior football team included Ronald, the son of former three-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo, who is not Jewish, but has been a member of the Jewish football club Hebraica for years.[33]

The athletes were from a record 85 countries.[1][2] Countries represented for the first time include the Bahamas, Cambodia, the Cayman Islands, Haiti, Malta, Morocco, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Trinidad (according to the official Web site of the Games, Morocco debuted in 2013, official Web site of the Games does not list Malta or Trinidad among participating nations)[34][1] A total of 10,000 athletes competed, a Maccabiah Games record, making the 2017 Maccabiah Games the third-largest sporting competition in the world (after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup).[1][6]

Israel fielded the largest delegation, with 2,500 competitors led by Olympic windsurfer Maayan Davidovich.[35][36] The US delegation of over 1,100 athletes came from over 42 states, and was the second-largest delegation.[37] For Team USA, Olympians Eli Dershwitz (fencing), Anthony Ervin (swimming), and Zach Test (rugby 7’s) competed, and Olympic gold medalists and Maccabiah Games alumni Lenny Krayzelburg and Jason Lezak joined the team as Maccabi Ambassadors, and swam two exhibition relays.[37][38] The Argentinian, Australian, and Canadian delegations each had approximately 650 athletes, Brazil's delegation had 491 members, and Great Britain was represented by 375 competitors.[39][36]

The following countries sent delegations to the 2017 Maccabiah Games; numbers in parentheses indicate number of competitors:[40]

Sports

Athletes at the Games competed in 45 sports, at 68 sports complexes throughout Israel.[52][35] The Games recognize all Olympic sports.[53] The sports with the greatest number of competitors were soccer (1,401 athletes from 20 countries), swimming (712 competitors from 34 countries), tennis (537 competitors from 35 countries), and basketball (466 competitors from 13 countries).[54] The sporting events included:[55]

  • Aquatics
    • Swimming
    • Swimming (open water)
    • Swimming (paralympic)
    • Water Polo
  • Archery
  • Athletics
    • Half Marathon
    • Track and field
  • Badminton
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
    • Basketball
    • Wheelchair basketball
  • Bowling
    • Lawn Bowling
    • Ten Pin Bowling
  • Bridge
  • Chess
  • Cricket
  • Cycling
  • Equeatrian
  • Fencing
  • Field Hockey
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
    • Artistic
    • Rhythmic
  • Handball
  • Ice Hockey
  • Judo
  • Karate
  • Lacrosse
  • Maccabi Men/Women
  • Netball
  • Rowing
  • Rugby
    • Rugby 7s
    • Rugby 15s
  • Softball
  • Squash
  • Table Tennis
  • Taekwondo
  • Tennis
    • Tennis
    • Wheelchair Tennis
  • Triathlon
  • Volleyball
    • Volleyball
    • Beach Volleyball
  • Wrestling
    • Freestyle
    • Greco-Roman

Medal count

Israel won the most medals, a total of 470 (173 gold medals, 150 silver, and 147 bronze).[56][57] Team USA finished second with 164 medals (50 gold, 67 silver, and 47 bronze).[56][57] Australia came in third (40; 9 gold, 19 silver, and 12 bronze), and Canada came in fourth (23; 10 gold, 6 silver, and 7 bronze).[57] Hungary took fifth with 17 medals (6 gold, 7 silver, and 4 bronze).[57]

South Africa came in sixth with 15 medals (9 gold, 1 silver, and 5 bronze).[57] Tied for seventh with 14 medals were Germany (7 gold, 1 silver, and 6 bronze), Great Britain (4 gold, 5 silver, and 5 bronze), and Russia (1 gold, 2 silver, and 11 bronze).[57] Ukraine came in 10th with 13 medals (3 gold, 8 silver, and 2 bronze), followed by France with 12 (3 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze).[57]

Medals table for Open competition (Senior; 291 gold)

59 countries; 30 countries won medals.

 Rank  Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
1  Israel 173 150 147 470
2  United States 50 67 47 164
3  Canada 10 6 7 23
4  Australia 9 19 12 40
5  South Africa 9 1 5 15
6  Germany 7 1 6 14
7  Hungary 6 7 4 17
8  Great Britain 4 5 5 14
9  Ukraine 3 8 2 13
10  France 3 5 4 12
11  Brazil 3 2 3 8
12  Argentina 3 2 3 8
13  Mexico 2 1 3 6
14  Netherlands 2 1 1 4
15  Poland 2 0 0 2
16  Russia 1 2 11 14
17  Latvia 1 0 2 3
18   Switzerland 1 1 1 3
19  Georgia 1 1 0 2
20  Spain 1 0 0 1
21  Czech Republic 0 2 2 4
22  Venezuela 0 2 1 3
23  Italy 0 1 2 3
24  Bolivia 0 1 0 1
25  Kazakhstan 0 1 0 1
26  Uruguay 0 0 2 2
27  China 0 0 1 1
28  Ireland 0 0 1 1
29  Lithuania 0 0 1 1
30  Slovenia 0 0 1 1

Medals table for Masters competition (245 gold)

35 countries; 23 countries won medals.

 Rank  Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
1  Israel 189 124 141 454
2  United States 11 15 24 50
3  Australia 7 31 21 59
4  Canada 7 9 11 27
5  Brazil 7 11 8 26
6  Argentina 5 12 16 33
7  Austria 5 0 0 5
8  South Africa 4 2 0 6
9  Peru 2 0 1 3
10  Ukraine 2 0 0 2
11  Venezuela 1 6 6 13
12  Germany 1 6 2 9
13  Hong Kong 1 2 3 6
14  Costa Rica 1 2 0 3
15  Russia 1 1 0 2
16  Curaçao 1 0 1 2
17  Uruguay 0 1 5 6
18  Great Britain 0 2 2 4
19  Puerto Rico 0 2 1 3
20  Chile 0 0 1 1
21  Finland 0 0 1 1
22  Hungary 0 0 1 1
23  Mexico 0 0 1 1

Medals table for Junior competition (157 gold)

42 countries; 23 countries won medals.

 Rank  Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
1  Israel 107 99 82 288
2  United States 28 25 44 97
3  Great Britain 7 0 11 18
4  Australia 2 5 18 25
5  Brazil 2 5 3 10
6  South Africa 2 3 0 5
7  Ukraine 2 0 3 5
8  Lithuania 2 1 0 3
9  Netherlands 2 0 0 2
10  Mexico 1 2 2 5
11  Russia 1 0 3 4
12  Latvia 1 0 0 1
13  Canada 0 10 2 12
14  Argentina 0 4 5 9
15  Germany 0 4 2 6
16  France 0 2 1 3
17  Hungary 0 2 1 3
18  Japan 0 1 0 1
19  Chile 0 0 1 1
20  Cuba 0 0 1 1
21  Spain 0 0 1 1
22   Switzerland 0 0 1 1
23  Turkey 0 0 1 1

Medals table for Para competition (30 gold)

6 countries; 4 countries won medals.

 Rank  Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
1  Australia 7 0 0 7
2  Israel 6 13 11 30
3  Brazil 0 0 1 1
4  Hungary 0 0 1 1
5  Russia 0 0 0 0
6  United States 0 0 0 0

Combined medals table for all competitions (Juniors, Open, Paralympic, Masters; 723 gold)

 Rank  Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
1
2
3
4
5

Closing ceremony

The closing ceremony in Latrun, between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, on July 17, 2017, was hosted by Israeli model Bar Refaeli.[58][59][60] Refaeli presented Canadian Pan American Games medalist Sasha Gollish, who won three gold medals in track, with the Female Athlete of the Games Award.[61] Israeli Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev passed the Maccabiah torch to a number of Maccabiah athletes.[59][60]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Records Fall Before Maccabiah Games Even Begin; U.S. squad is largest ever in what officials say is ‘a life-changing experience’," Jewish Week.
  2. 1 2 "Maccabiah: On track for Israel," The Jewish Chronicle.
  3. ↑ [http://www.maccabiah.com/2017/the-games/delegations List of Countries)
  4. ↑ "Maccabiah Games: Your Guide to Celebrating the 'Jewish Olympics' in Israel; Maccabiah Games activities: A star-studded opening ceremony, a night run and parties, parties and more parties," Haaretz.
  5. ↑ "Closing Ceremony - 20th Maccabiah 2017," Maccabiah.com.
  6. 1 2 "Levine inducted into Jewish sports hall as Maccabiah athletes feted at JC," Ottawa Sun.
  7. ↑ "The 20th Maccabiah Games: A brief History (Part 1)," The Canadian Jewish News.
  8. ↑ Helen Jefferson Lenskyj (2012). Gender Politics and the Olympic Industry. Palgrave Macmillan.
  9. ↑ Mitchell G. Bard and Moshe Schwartz (2005). 1001 Facts Everyone Should Know about Israel p. 84.
  10. ↑ "History of the Maccabiah Games". Maccabi Australia.
  11. ↑ "המכביה ה-20 טקס הפתיחה", film of opening ceremony, reshet.tv.
  12. 1 2 3 "Maccabiah Games: Your guide to celebrating the 'Jewish Olympics' in Israel; Maccabiah Games activities: A star-studded opening ceremony, a night run and parties, parties and more parties," Haaretz.
  13. ↑ "Maccabiah Games opens in style in Jerusalem; A record 10,000 athletes danced and sang in a lavish ceremony in front of 30,000 spectators," The Jewish Chronicle.
  14. 1 2 "Ervin, Gilot To Participate In Torch Lighting At Maccabiah Games," SwimSwam Magazine.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 "Watch: Maccabiah 2017 opens with a high-energy ceremony - and a surprise wedding," The Times of Israel.
  16. ↑ "Maccabiah Games get underway with huge opening ceremony in Jerusalem," J.
  17. 1 2 "Maccabiah marriage: A surprise proposal turned surprise wedding," The Jerusalem Post.
  18. 1 2 "Ervin wraps up Maccabiah experience with two more gold medals," The Jerusalem Post.
  19. 1 2 3 "Ervin captures gold in 100-meter freestyle," The Jerusalem Post.
  20. 1 2 3 "Ervin Opens Maccabiah Games With 100 Free Gold," SwimSwam Magazine.
  21. ↑ "Records fall as Olympians shine at Maccabiah Games; Olympic champion Anthony Ervin makes a splash at the 20th Games," The Jerusalem Post.
  22. ↑ "Records fall as Olympians shine at Maccabiah Games," The Jerusalem Post.
  23. ↑ "Open Fencing Sabre (M) Results," maccabiah.com.
  24. ↑ "Walkover gold for Nusbaum, Binstock at Maccabi Games", YorkRegion.com.
  25. ↑ "Canada wraps up Maccabiah games with 50 medals," Canadian Jewish News.
  26. ↑ "Maccabiah cricket silver a 'tremendous achievement,'" The Jewish Chronicle.
  27. 1 2 "Murez Picks Up 2nd Gold Of Maccabiah Games With 1:59 200 Free," SwimSwam Magazine.
  28. ↑ "Record-breaking day in the pool led by Aussie Levy setting world mark," The Jerusalem Post.
  29. ↑ "Open Badminton Mixed Doubles," maccabiah.com.
  30. 1 2 "Dorozhon wins javelin gold, secures spot in World Championships," The Jerusalem Post.
  31. ↑ "Maccabiah game action concludes ahead of closing ceremony." The Jerusalem Post.
  32. ↑ "Jewish Games not loved by all: Competition and Controversy," The Canadian Jewish News.
  33. ↑ "Soccer legend Ronaldo’s son to play in Maccabiah," The Times of Israel.
  34. ↑ [http://www.maccabiah.com/2017/the-games/delegations List of Countries)
  35. 1 2 "International Jewish athletes 'return' to Jerusalem for 20th Maccabiah Games," Heritage Florida Jewish News.
  36. 1 2 3 "Canadian ice hockey player gets married at Maccabiah Games opening ceremony,", Ynet.
  37. 1 2 "Maccabi USA To Bring Largest Sports Delegation Ever To World Maccabiah Games," Maccabi USA.
  38. ↑ "Lenny Krayzelburg & Jason Lezak Join US Contingent for Maccabiah Games," Swimming World Magazine.
  39. ↑ "Stars of David: The history of Maccabiah," The Jewish Chronicle.
  40. ↑ "Delegations - 20th Maccabiah 2017," Maccabiah.com.
  41. 1 2 "At Maccabiah Games opening: Singing, dancing and a hockey player’s wedding," Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
  42. ↑ "Rivlin hints at disunity in address to Maccabi World Union," The Jerusalem Post.
  43. ↑ "Zimmerman on Maccabiah Games: ‘Atmosphere is electric,’" Cayman27.
  44. 1 2 "One delegation, two systems: Hong Kong and China team off to Maccabiah Games in Israel," South China Morning Post.
  45. ↑ "We lost 17-0 to Argentina, and next up it's Ronaldo’s son; Gibraltar’s futsal team is having a tough time at the Maccabiah Games, but their excitement is undimmed," The Jewish Chronicle.
  46. ↑ "Mission Maccabiah: this year in Israel," The Hindu.
  47. ↑ "Opening Thursday, the 'Jewish Olympics' is now world's third largest sporting event," The Times of Israel.
  48. ↑ "Lithuanian Makabi Makes Successful Showing at Maccabiah Games," Lithuanian Jewish Community.
  49. ↑ "Dutch Maccabiah Delegation Visits the Anne Frank Memorial," The Jerusalem Post.
  50. ↑ MWU
  51. ↑ EMC
  52. ↑ "Water polo among sports to be contested at Maccabiah Games," South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
  53. ↑ "An Indian Cricket Team Shall be Gunning for Gold in Israel When it Takes Part in the Maccabiah Games," India Times.
  54. ↑ "20th Maccabiah Starts Thursday: 10,000 Athletes from 80 Countries, 150,000 Foreign Guests," The Jewish Press.
  55. ↑ "The Games - 20th Maccabiah 2017," Maccabiah.com.
  56. 1 2 "Marylanders earn medals at 20th Maccabiah Games," Baltimore Sun.
  57. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Medals - 20th Maccabiah 2017," Maccabiah.com.
  58. ↑ "In Pictures: Maccabiah ends with spectacular ceremony," The Jerusalem Post.
  59. 1 2 "20th Maccabiah Games open with spectacular Jerusalem ceremony," The Jerusalem Post.
  60. 1 2 "Athletes make last medal pushes," The Jerusalem Post.
  61. ↑
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