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SUICIDE BOMB ATTACK KILLS TWO SOLDIERS - MORTAR SHELL ATTACKS ON GILO THREE PALESTINIANS KILLED IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTING SPLENDID OPENING OF MACCABIAH GAMES COMPETITIONS UNDER BANNER: "ONE PEOPLE - ONE DREAM" MORE THAN 3,000 JEWISH ATHLETES FROM 43 COUNTRIES IN OPENING PARADE: COMPETITORS SALUTED BY PRESIDENT KATSAV, PRIME MINISTER SHARON, JERUSALEM MAYOR OLMERT, JEWISH AGENCY CHAIRMAN SALLAI MERIDOR & LEADERS OF NORTH AMERICANS JEWRY LED BY BRONFMAN, ZUCKERMAN AND LAUDER
 Opening ceremony of the 16th Maccabiah Games at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem (photo: Joe Malcolm) In a gala pageant of color, light and Jewish solidarity, the 16th Maccabiah Games got under way in Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium. The games, held this year under the shadow of terror, brought together 3,000 sportsmen and women from 43 countries, competing under the banner "One People-One Dream." Close to 20,000 spectators pressed into the stadium and over one million viewers saw the ceremony, broadcast live on television. President Moshe Katsav, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Romania Prime Minister Adrian Nastase, Minister of Science, Culture and Sports Matan Vilnai, Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert, Jewish Agency & World Zionist Organization Executive Chairman Sallai Meridor, and Chairman of the Conference of Major American Jewish Organizations Mortimer Zuckerman were among guests of honor. The Jewish Agency, a major supporter of the Maccabiah, which brings Jewish Sportsmen from throughout the world together in Israel, received recognition at the ceremony for having brought some 350 Jewish athletes (Olympic champions among them) from the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe to compete in the games. Thanking the athletes for coming to "Jerusalem, the capital of Israel and the Jewish people for 3,000 years", Prime Minister Sharon said "you represent the spirit of the Maccabees who kindled the flame of liberty at Modi'in and carried it to Jerusalem." He expressed the wish that all the visitors will be residing in Israel at the time of the 17th Maccabiah games. The theme of light was repeated throughout the ceremony, in which young members of the Maccabi youth movement formed the Israeli Menorah in floor exercises. The audience participated actively in the ceremony by waving light sticks and Israeli flags. Colored fabrics, balloons and fireworks were all part of the makings of the ceremony. A line-up of Israeli stars, including singers Rita, Shuli Natan, and folkdance troops entertained the audience before and during the ceremony. Liturgical singer and Broadway musical star Dudu Fischer sang Hatikva. |
