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10,000 Athletes From 80 Countries Arrive in Jerusalem for Maccabiah Games

The 20th Maccabiah Games, in which a record 10,000 athletes from 80 countries will be competing in 43 sports, have opened with a spectacular ceremony in Jerusalem on Thursday.

The capital’s Teddy Stadium hosted about 10,000 Jewish and Israeli athletes and tens of thousands of fans that came together to celebrate athleticism, Judaism, and Zionism during the 50th year of Jerusalem’s reunification, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Reuven Rivlin said, “It’s so great to see you here in Jerusalem, Israel’s capital city, rebuilt and free, at the opening of the 20th Maccabiah Games.” He continued, “Beloved athletes, our country is your country. Our home is your home.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then addressed the athletes, saying, “We are all one people. The Maccabiah is a game for the Maccabees… the Maccabees liberated our land against all others.”

The 20th Maccabiah Games are the world’s third-largest sporting event, dubbed the “Jewish Olympics.” Until the closing ceremony on July 18, athletes will compete in four Maccabiah divisions—Junior, Masters, Open, and Paralympics—and take part in dozens of different sports, including swimming, tennis, and the most popular Maccabiah sport, soccer.

Ronald, the 17-year-old son of Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo, will also compete in the Games as a member of Brazil’s Under 18 soccer team. Ronald, who is not Jewish, is also a member of Sao Paolo’s Hebraica, a group popular across South America that serves as a cross between a Jewish community center and a country club.

[Photo: Federação Israelita SP / YouTube ]