Philadelphia, PA, February 18, 2009 – The USA Team will number close to 1000 members when complete and will join over 7000 athletes from 60 countries in what is the world’s third largest international sporting event. Team USA is nearly complete, with 87 teams competing in 26 sports. In addition to athletes and coaches, the Team will include its own medical staff, sports trainers and managers. With over 800 Team members already appointed, the remainder of the Team will be complete after the final tryouts for Wrestling are completed in early April.
Team members come from all over the USA, representing 41 states including: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Washington DC and Wisconsin.
Team USA will consist of 87 Teams in 26 sports including Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cycling, Fencing, Field Hockey, Futsal, Golf, Gymnastics, Half Marathon, Judo, Karate, Rowing, Rugby, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Ten-Pin Bowling, Track & Field, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo and Wrestling.
“Sports is the hook that attracts Jewish athletes to our program,” said Ron Carner, General Chairman, USA Maccabiah Team. “By bringing such a large Team and hundreds of additional supporters to the Maccabiah, we are showing our love and support for the State of Israel.? The Maccabiah is not just about sports, but about providing athletes an awareness of their Jewish heritage – of who they are, where they come from and where they are going.”
The public is invited to join Maccabi USA/sports for Israel (MUSA) and share the wonders of Israel and the magic of the Maccabiah – not as a spectator, but as a participant, not as a tourist, but as a member of the Maccabi USA Family.? MUSA offers a variety of Mission packages in conjunction with the 18th “Chai”Maccabiah Games.? Tour Israel and watch the best Jewish athletes compete for the gold.? For more information, please contact Gil Travel at (800)223-3855 x238 or visit https://maccabiusa.com/.?
About the organization:
Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel (MUSA) has an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs.? The organization is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games, the Pan American Maccabi Games and the Maccabi competitions in Europe and Australia, as well as a co-founder of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America.? As the official Maccabi representative in the U.S., Maccabi USA supports Jewish athletic endeavors, enhanced by cultural and educational activities in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora.
MUSA develops, promotes and supports international, national and regional athletic-based activities and facilities.? They strive to provide Jewish athletes the world over the opportunity to share their heritage and customs in competitive athletic settings.? MUSA supports programs that embody the Maccabi ideals of Jewish continuity, Zionism and excellence in sport.?
The World Maccabiah Games are a quadrennial event that takes place in Israel.? The 18th World Maccabiah Games, scheduled for July 12 – 23, 2009 will be the world’s third largest international athletic competition.? Over 9000 of the world’s best Jewish athletes from six continents and over 60 countries will compete at the Games.