20th Maccabiah opening ceremony

July 7, 2017 Agencies
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Team Australia had the honour of leading 80 countries in the parade of nations into Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium into the Opening Ceremony of the 20th Maccabiah Games.

 

Barry Smorgon reports: “The 570 Australian team was the first to enter the stadium to thunderous applause.
Lead in by team captain ,Sean Block and flag bearer Jemima Montag , followed by Tom York ( Head of Delegation ), Niki Burger (general manager ) and myself as President , it was a wonderful moment for all of the team , who came to Jerusalem after a very successful pre- camp in Haifa.
It is simply wonderful to be in Israel for the 20th Maccabiah.”

President Reuven Rivlin has officially opened the 20th Maccabiah Games, being held this year with the theme of celebrating 50 years of a united Jerusalem. Also speaking at the opening ceremony was Prime Minister Netanyahu. The event was attended by around 30,000 athletes and their supporters, and saw a procession of 80 national teams from all the countries represented at the Games.

“Welcome to Jerusalem, welcome to Israel. Welcome home. How great it is to see you all here in Jerusalem – the rebuilt and free, eternal capital of Israel – for the opening of the 20th Maccabiah Games,” began the President, and said, “This is the biggest ever Maccabiah since the Games began 85 years ago. Then, in the year 1932, the skies over Europe had already began to darken. And today, today we stand here, marking the 20th Maccabiah Games themed around the 50th anniversary of liberation of Jerusalem.”

The President quoted Yosef Yekutieli, one of the leaders and initiators of the Maccabiah Games who said the aim of the Games was “To elevate – not just physically, but also spiritually”. The President continued, “The sporting spirit as we feel it, pushes us to break down the barriers of the body and soul. It pushes us to break through existing barriers. To create a new reality. To assess the boundaries, and to each time reach higher, be faster, stronger. This is the same spirit from which came Zionism. This is the same spirit from which came the Maccabiah. This is the spirit we expect from you also today, here at these Games, in the competitions, on the sports fields, in the swimming pools. I know the innovative and brave sporting spirit, which spreads its wings and reaches for the sky. In just a few short moments, the adrenaline and the elation will burst forth, and will fill the tracks and fields of Jerusalem, in Haifa, and across the country, from north to south. Together, we will all join in the true festival of sport, a festival of mind and body.”

The President went on to speak of the memory of the athletes who were killed in the tragedy at the 15 Maccabiah Games, and of the Israeli athletes who were murdered by terrorists at the Munich Olympics – some of whom he noted, were Maccabiah champions. “Our hearts are with their families,” he said.

The President concluded by declaring the Games open, and wished all the sportsmen and women, the many spectators in the stadiums and at home, “uplifting days, days of fun, enjoyment and tension, record-breaking moments; personal records, national, and international records. My dear athletes, our land is your land, our home is your home.” He declared, “Congratulations to all of us, on the opening of the 20th Maccabiah Games, here in Jerusalem!”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Opening Ceremony Photo Haim Zac

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was accompanied by his wife Sara at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem and told those attending the opening ceremony: “I have two messages for you today.

The first is: Excel in sports; run, kick, jump, jump with the skies. Achieve everything you want and beyond what you want.

Now, I have personal experience in this. It’s mixed. You see, I was pretty athletic when I was young and I tried out for the wrestling team. I broke my arm at 14.

Then recently, I thought I’d take a shot at soccer. I played in a soccer game of young Jews and Arabs in Israel. I broke my leg.

So, I cannot tell you, dear athletes, break a leg. I say: succeed, excel, win. You are all winners, you are all champions.

The second message is: We’re all one people. The Maccabiah is named for the Maccabees. 2,200 years ago we were conquered by the descendants of Alexander the great, and the Maccabees, five brothers, liberated our land against all odds. They liberated Jerusalem. They made us free and independent.

Centuries later, when our people were dispersed, homeless, totally incapable of defending ourselves, we suffered the greatest tragedy that any people has known in the history of man.

And yet, we came back, rebuilt our land, re-established our state, rebuilt an army.

The people of Israel are strong and the State of Israel is strong.

We are all descendants of the Maccabees. You are descendants of the Maccabees.

And in 80 lands, remember one thing. You are proud citizens of your countries, but remember this is your land too.

Welcome to your homeland, welcome to Israel, welcome to Jerusalem, our eternal capital. Good luck to you all.”

Comments

One Response to “20th Maccabiah opening ceremony”
  1. Barry Smorgon says:

    The 570 Australian team was the first to enter the stadium to thunderous applause.
    Lead in by team captain ,Sean Block & flag bearer Jemima Montag , followed by Tom York ( Head of Delegation ), Niki Burger (general manager ) ,& myself as President , it was a wonderful moment for all of the team , who came to Jerusalem after a very successful pre- camp in Haifa.
    It is simply wonderful to be in Israel for the 20th Maccabiah.

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