Maccabi Pan American Games Opening Ceremony
The Pan America Games were officially launched on Monday night when 2,000 athletes from 16 countries marched into the opening ceremony in Sao Paulo.
The Australian team
The event, held at an auditorium 40 minutes out from the Games’ hub at Hebraica, begun with all the hype of a Maccabi international event. Pins were swapped as athletes mingled amongst countries and the buzz built as teams prepared to enter the arena.
We waited … and waited … before football captain-coach Tal Karp led the team onto the stage.
Although the night was long, it did feature plenty of local entertainment, a Chanukah-themed show and a performance from renowned artist Dudu Fisher.
Roxane Vaisemberg, the top ranked female tennis player in Brazil, had the honour of lighting the flame.
Maccabi stalwarts Tom York, Harry Procel and Sam ParasolFlag-Bearer Tali Karp
