25th Maccabiah Games Open in Jerusalem with Global Athletes and Ceremonial Torch Lighting
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
The 25th Maccabiah Games opened on July 1, 2026, in Jerusalem with 5,000 athletes from over 30 countries. The ceremony featured performances, a torch lighting by notable athletes, and participation from diverse global delegations, including first-time teams from Taiwan and the Philippines. The event aims to strengthen ties between Israel and the Jewish diaspora amid ongoing challenges.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The 25th Maccabiah Games opened July 1, 2026, at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem with 5,000 athletes from 30+ countries.
- President Herzog, PM Netanyahu, and other officials attended the ceremony featuring performances and a torch lighting.
- Torchbearers include wounded soldier Avitar Zeitoni and Olympic medalists, with the flame lit by Asaf Yasur and Inbar Lanir.
- The U.S. delegation is the largest outside Israel with 900 athletes; Taiwan and the Philippines participate for the first time.
- New events include the Maccabiah City sports festival and a memorial day in Tikuma honoring October 7 victims.
- Venezuela withdrew due to an earthquake; Ukraine and India send delegations despite challenges.
The 25th Maccabiah Games officially commence on Wednesday evening with a grand opening ceremony at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, marking the start of the largest Jewish sporting event worldwide. Under the slogan "More Than Ever," approximately 5,000 athletes from over 30 countries will participate. The ceremony will be attended by President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, and senior officials from the World Maccabi Movement.
The event will be hosted by Assi Azar and Anna Aronov, featuring a special performance by Yuval Rafael of the song "Up Rise," arranged specifically for the evening. Other highlights include a unique duet by Netta Barzilai and Anna Zak, a collaboration between Idan Raichel, former captive Daniela Gelbov, and Idan Alexander, and a finale by Itay Levi accompanied by a choir and hundreds of dancers. American social media star Montana Tucker, known for her pro-Israel advocacy and fight against antisemitism, will join the delegation march with musician Michael Harpaz and debut her new song "We're Not Strangers," emphasizing unity and connection.
The ceremony's climax is the lighting of the Maccabiah torch. This year’s torchbearers include Avitar Zeitoni, severely wounded in the October 7 battles at Kibbutz Kissufim; football captains Menashe Zelka and Sharan Yini; and Ofir Shaham, a member of the artistic gymnastics team that won silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Olympic medalists Asaf Yasur and Inbar Lanir will receive the torch from them and light the Maccabiah flame together.
Among the over 30 participating delegations, the United States is the largest outside Israel with about 900 athletes, followed by Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil. For the first time, delegations from Taiwan and the Philippines will participate, alongside smaller teams from Zimbabwe, Estonia, and Finland, each bringing unique personal and community stories. Notable delegations include Ukraine, attending despite ongoing war; India, featuring a 90-year-old athlete; and Armenia, connecting a new convert with the local Jewish community. Venezuela had to cancel its participation due to a recent earthquake.
Beyond the competitions, new events include the "Maccabiah City" sports festival at Expo Tel Aviv and a special day in the Tikuma region in partnership with KKL, combining sports activities, volunteering, and memorial events honoring 18 young victims of the October 7 attacks and the Iron Swords war. The next Maccabiah Games will take place from July 1 to 13, 2026, continuing to unite thousands of athletes, families, and sports fans from Israel and the Jewish diaspora, reinforcing their connection during a time of heightened significance.
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