13th Maccabiah
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| Nations participating | 45 | ||
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| Debuting countries |
 Hong Kong Soviet Union Singapore South Korea
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| Athletes participating | 4400 | ||
| Opening city | Ramat Gan | ||
| Main venue | National Stadium | ||
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The 1989 13th Maccabiah Games brought 4,500 athletes to Israel from 45 nations.
Jewish athletes from Hungary participated for the first time since World War II, Jewish athletes from Russia had been permitted, by their country, to play for the first time.
Lithuania competed in first and second games, but had to stop because of occupation by Soviet Union. In 1989 Lithuania reentered the games and it was the first time after occupation when athletes from Lithuania participated under Lithuanian flag in competition recognized by IOC.
The Maccabiah Games were first held in 1932. In 1961, they were declared a "Regional Sports Event" by, and under the auspices and supervision of, the International Olympic Committee.
American Olympian Ken Flax won the gold medal in the hammer throw with a 78.86 meter toss. Israeli Ron Kaplan won a gold medal in the gymnastics individual all-around competition. Argentine soccer player Esteban Becker won a silver medal. American squash player Stephen L. Green competed, but could not repeat his 1985 bronze medal performance.
Israel won 97 golden medals, while United States finished second with 74 golds.
The closing ceremony was held at the Western Wall in Jerusalem for the first time.
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Wikipedia