Decision made to postpone 2025 Maccabiah Games
Australia's Head of Delegation Barry Lipp said the decision is “the most appropriate course of action”.
The 2025 Maccabiah Games, that were due to open on July 8 in Israel and feature dozens of national teams – including a 150-athlete Australian squad – was officially postponed for one year by the organisers, Maccabi World Union (MWU), due to the ongoing war between Iran and Israel.
“We’ll see you next year – stronger and united more than ever – for the most meaningful Maccabiah yet,” organisers said in a statement.
Head of Delegation of Maccabiah Team Australia, Barry Lipp, said the team’s management and Maccabi Australia board members held a virtual meeting late last night (Australian time) with MWU, in which it was confirmed that the Maccabiah Games will now take place in Israel in July 2026.
Citing safety as being the highest priority of the team, Lipp regarded the Games’ postponement as “the most appropriate course of action”.
“Today, our thoughts and prayers are with Israel, our friends, families, and our entire Maccabi family,” Lipp said.
“We are hopeful that in a year’s time, we will again be in a position to send a larger Australian delegation to Israel [for Maccabiah], to connect and compete with thousands of Jewish athletes from around the world, even more than ever.
“We know how disappointing this decision will be for our Aussie athletes who have been training and working so hard.
“Maccabi is family, and we wrap our arms around each and every one of them.
“We also know that our entire Australian Jewish community was looking forward to the 2025 Maccabiah Games, and the opportunity to cheer on our Aussie team.
“It will now happen at the 2026 Games, which will have the same values and same vision – it will just be in a little more time.”
Prior to the decision by the MWU last Sunday, Sydney members of Australia’s team gathered at an event in Double Bay to connect, and show solidarity for Israel.
Rabbi Levi Wolff, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin, and Maccabi Life Member and former Head of Delegation Barry Smorgon, joined Lipp, in offering inspiring words in support of the team – whether the Games were going to be on as scheduled, or not.
Ryvchin said, “The reason we love sport is because we want to belong, be connected to something, and be part of a team”.
“We Jews know what it means to be part of a team – and we have a great Maccabiah team – but we also know too well what it means to be excluded from a team.
“That is why participation in sports, and why belonging to a team like this, has always meant so much to us.”
As Lipp put it: “Draw on your Maccabi pride, to stand tall for Israel, as it fights for its existence, and to stay ready for the Maccabiah Games, whenever they will be.”
comments