Editor: Zhang Xiang
RAMAT GAN, Israel, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The 18th Maccabiah Games, known as the Jewish Olympics, officially kicked off on Monday night in this central Israeli city.
Some 30,000 spectators, including Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attended the opening ceremony, and watched 65 delegations from different countries and regions march into the National Stadium.
During the 11-day sports meet, over 7,000 amateur and professional athletes will compete in 31 events, including Olympic ones such as track and field, basketball and swimming, and non-Olympic ones such as golf, karate, lawn bowls and chess.
The contests are divided into three different categories, namely Open, Junior and Master. The Junior games are open to athletes aged from 15 to 18, and the Master ones are for older competitors.
In light of the record high number of participants in the quadrennial event, a regional games recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the Jewish state has mobilized resources nationwide, and matches will take place at different venues across the country.
The Maccabiah Games debuted in 1932, and has been held in Israel reguarly since 1953. Named after an ancient Jewish hero, the event is open to every Jew across the world and every non-Jewish citizen of Israel.
In order to guarantee the safety of the participants, Israeli authorities have beefed up security measures across the nation.
P.S. Official Macabiah Games website: http://www.maccabiah.com/
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