22nd Maccabiah opens at Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium with 8,000 athletes from 45 countries ahead of July 13 games; Ceremony features performances by Israeli acts, torch lit by Inbar Lanir and Asaf Yasur, and honors wounded veterans and ex-hostagesStav Ifergan| Related TopicsThe 2026 Maccabiah Games opened Wednesday evening with a festive opening ceremony at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. This is the 22nd Maccabiah. The tradition of the “Jewish Olympics,” which brings together Diaspora Jewry through sports competitions, began in spring 1932, before the establishment of the State of Israel. Hundreds of athletes from delegations around the world took the stage, as the Maccabiah slogan is “More Than Ever.”The games will take place from today through July 13, with 8,000 athletes from 45 countries competing in 45 sports. Top Israeli athletes will also take part, including gymnast Artem Dolgopyat. The games were originally scheduled for last summer but were postponed due to Operation “Rising Lion.” Alongside the traditional parade of delegations, the crowd at Teddy Stadium enjoyed performances by local artists including Idan Raichel, Eden Golan, Itay Levi, Netta Barzilai and Yuval Raphael.The 2026 Maccabiah Games opening (Dana Duley)The traditional Maccabiah torch was carried and lit by two of the most prominent athletes in recent years: judoka Inbar Lanir and taekwondo athlete Asaf Yasur. Both, as noted, won medals at the 2024 Paris Games. Lanir won a silver medal and Yasur is a Paralympic champion with a historic gold medal. Ofir Shaham, a member of Israel’s rhythmic gymnastics group that won a silver medal in Paris, also took part in the ceremony, along with footballer Menashe Zalka and former footballer Sheran Yeini.GalleryThe 2026 Maccabiah Games opening (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)Yuval Raphael (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)The theme of the war was also woven into the ceremony, with one of the torchbearers being Evyatar Zeituni, who was seriously wounded in fighting in southern Israel on October 7 and is now part of a Paralympic cycling group made up of wounded veterans from the “Iron Swords” war.(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)Former hostage Idan Alexander also took part in the ceremony and said on stage: “There is no greater privilege in life than defending my home. On October 7 I fought and was kidnapped. There I experienced hunger, thirst, fear and longing for the life I had. But in the hardest moments, in the deepest silence, I heard you. A family that did not give up, people who did not know me but fought as if I were their child. Shortly after I returned home, I knew I would return to service. Because this is our country and this is our people. The people I am so proud to be part of. The people who remember all the fallen heroes and continue fighting to carry on their legacy. This is the people who brought me home, and I will dedicate my life to giving back.”Comments