The 18th Maccabiah

The 18th Maccabiah, also known as "Maccabiah Chai," exceeded the organizing committee's expectations and was the largest Maccabiah of all time and the biggest sports event in the world that year.

Around 7,510 athletes from all over the world competed in 33 sports across 108 different tournaments. Over 2,564 hours and more than 229 training days in preparation for the Games were packed into 10 competition days – a world record and the most concentrated sports schedule ever.

As part of this Maccabiah, the PopMacc ("Popular Maccabiah") took place, open to the public on Fridays, with many Israeli athletes taking part. Hundreds participated in the bike race in Tel Aviv's Hayarkon Park, tens of thousands joined the Beach Maccabiah held on Israel’s beaches, and crowds filled the stands across various venues.

At Wingate, world champion Jason Lezak, a seven-time Olympic medalist, participated in the swimming events, after playing a central role in the Maccabiah opening ceremony and lighting the traditional torch.

Spectators from all over the country came to watch the baseball events held at Tel Aviv Sportek, sponsored by the famous Los Angeles Dodgers.

The main stand at Herzliya Stadium was cleared to accommodate rafting participants during the thrilling final games, during which the Australian team won its first-ever rugby gold. Another heartwarming moment occurred when the Indian delegation, supported by generous donors from Los Angeles, won their country’s first-ever silver medal in cricket.

Some of the world’s top chess players and senior military officials attended the chess tournaments, which were held in a massive aircraft hangar at Tel Nof Airbase and even a unique underwater event at the Blue Bay Hotel in Netanya.

During the Maccabiah Games, Israel hosted several national champions, including Hungary's Judit Polgar, who would soon become world champion, and Israel’s Boris Gelfand.

Hundreds of young athletes from countries like Azerbaijan participated in the Richard Riordan Tournament. Delegations from 50 countries, some large (like Team USA), some small (like two cyclists from Palau), and Maccabim from Scotland, who for the first time raised their flag, participated in the exciting opening ceremony.

For the first time ever, all the athletes stayed in the arena, not in the stands, symbolizing the unity of the Jewish people with their home in the Land of Israel. The closing ceremony at the IDF Armor Corps Memorial in Latrun was considered one of the most beautiful in Maccabiah history.

The 18th Maccabiah was the first to be broadcast outside of Israel. Additionally, it was the largest Maccabiah to date, executed logistically and organizationally in the smoothest way ever – with 500 buses daily transporting hundreds of athletes between accommodation villages, events, and competitions across the country.

Notable Athletes, Winners, and Sports Achievements:

• The Australian team won its first-ever rugby gold in rafting. 

• The Indian delegation, supported by generous donors from Los Angeles, won their country’s first-ever silver medal in cricket. 

• World champion Jason Lezak, a seven-time Olympic medalist, participated in the swimming events at Wingate.

• During the Games, Israel hosted several national champions, including Hungary's Judit Polgar, who would soon become world champion, and Israel’s Boris Gelfand.