2013 Maccabiah Games
The logo for the 19th Maccabiah Games (המכביה ה-19)
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| Nations participating | 77 | ||
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| Debuting countries | 17 | ||
| Athletes participating | 7500 | ||
| Events | 490 Medals 34 Sports | ||
| Opening city | Jerusalem | ||
| Opening ceremony | July 18, 2013 | ||
| Closing ceremony | July 30, 2013 | ||
| Officially opened by | Shimon Peres | ||
| Main venue | Teddy Stadium | ||
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The 19th Maccabiah (Hebrew: המכביה התשע-עשרה) were the 19th incarnation of the Maccabiah Games, which took place July 18 to 30, 2013.
The games brought together 7,500 competing athletes, making it the third-largest international sporting event in the world after the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. The Maccabiah held competitions in 42 disciplines, in 34 sports. A number of new sports were introduced or brought back, including Archery, Equestrian, and Handball; Ice Hockey was brought back for the first time since 1997.
The opening ceremonies for the 19th Maccabiah took place for the second time at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. The games officially opened by Shimon Peres. US President Barack Obama greeted the Maccabiah through a prerecorded video. Prime Minister David Cameron also greeted the Maccabiah and team GB. During the parade of nations, giant helium balloons with the country the delegation represented accommodated each delegation. Coincidentally, the opening ceremony took place on Nelson Mandela's birthday. The South African delegation carried with them a large banner reading: "Celebrating our legacy – Mandela Day".
U.S. Olympic gold-medal-winning gymnast Aly Raisman lit the Maccabiah cauldron. The opening ceremonies were celebrated with a number of popular musicians such as Rami Kleinstein and Harel Skaat. Additionally, the Grammy-winning, Israeli violinist Miri Ben-Ari and the The X Factor finalist Carly Rose Sonenclar also performed at the ceremony.
American Olympic medalist swimmer Garrett Weber-Gale won the gold medal in the men’s 100 free with a time of 48.99, and won the gold medal in the men's 50 meter sprint with a new Maccabiah record time of 22.68 seconds.Marcel Felder of Uruguay won a gold medal in men's tennis. Canadian National Hockey League player Zach Hyman had three goals and three assists in two games, and won a gold medal.
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