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The Maccabiah Games (a.k.a. the World Maccabiah Games; Hebrew: משחקי המכביה, or משחקי המכביה העולמית; sometimes referred to as the "Jewish Olympics"), first held in 1932, are an international Jewish and Israeli multi-sport event held quadrennially in Israel. The Maccabiah Games are open to Jewish athletes from around the world, and to all Israeli citizens regardless of their religion. It is the third-largest sporting event in the world by number of competitors after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup, with 10,000 athletes competing. The Maccabiah Games were declared a "Regional Sports Event" by, and under the auspices and supervision of, the International Olympic Committee in 1961. (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Noted Medalists of Maccabiah Games Competitors
Ten Medals or more (Olympic or Maccabiah):
- Mark Spitz (b. 1950) American Olympic and world champion swimmer. Mark won 11 Olympic medals over two Olympic Games and will be best remembered for his remarkable seven gold medals at the 1972 Games, and, each of the gold medals was won while setting a World record. Mark participated in the 1965 Maccabiah Games - his first international competition, and then again in the 1969 Games. In all, Spitz won 10 Maccabiah gold medals. He is considered to be the most successful Jewish Olympic athlete of all time.
- Agnes Keleti (b. 1921) Hungarian-Israeli Olympic and world champion artistic gymnast and coach. She is the oldest living Olympic champion and medalist, reaching her 102nd birthday on 9 January 2023. She won 10 Olympic medals including 5 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals. She competed for Israel in the 1957 Maccabiah. Agnes is considered to be one of the most successful Jewish Olympic athletes of all time (second only to Mark Spitz).