EIGHTH MACCABIAH

The Eighth Maccabiah:  5729

July 28 to August 7, 1969

Basic Facts

1,450 athletes from 27 countries participated in the Games, competing in 22 events. 
For the first time, the torch was relayed from the actual graves of the Maccabees (until 1967, they were forbidden to begin the relay so close to the Jordanian border).

Notable Athletes

Swimmer Mark Spitz once again proved worthy of his title winning 3 Gold Medals in individual and 3 Gold medals in team races. (His future was, indeed promising.  He was destined to capture 7 Gold Medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics.) 
Spitz’s younger sister, Nancy, also racked up medals at the pool and won several gold and one silver medal. 
Israeli sprinter, Esther Shachamorov, overshadowed all her opponents by winning 3 Gold Medals in track events 
American sprinter Harold Rothman
Canadian sprinter Avital Hoffman
World champion backstroke swimmer Karen Myor
Shot putter Steve Marcus
Wimbledon champion tennis player Julie Haldman

Joining the Party: Countries who participated and haven’t competed in the previous Maccabia