Honouring the victims of the 1997 tragedy
THE entire Australian delegation at the Maccabiah Games paused this week during pre-camp to remember Greg Small, Yetty Bennett, Elizabeth Sawicki and Warren Zines, who tragically died before the opening ceremony of the 1997 Maccabiah Games.
THE entire Australian delegation at the Maccabiah Games paused this week during pre-camp to remember Greg Small, Yetty Bennett, Elizabeth Sawicki and Warren Zines, who tragically died before the opening ceremony of the 1997 Maccabiah Games.
The four athletes were standing on the pedestrian bridge waiting to enter the Ramat Gan Stadium when the bridge suddenly collapsed.
Greg Small was due to compete in ten pin bowling before that fateful day and, following in his footsteps, his son Josh will compete on the lanes this year in Israel.
“My life, that of my family and the lives of the Bennett, Sawicki and Zines families changed dramatically 16 years ago. I stand here representing all of us,” Josh said at Monday’s ceremony in Israel. “Like my father, Maccabi has played an important part of my life. This is my second Maccabiah Games in ten pin bowling, just like my dad Greg. In fact, I’m wearing my dad’s bowling shirt.
“In this way, I’m continuing the tradition started through my parents.”
Josh thanked Maccabi Australia for continuing the tradition of honouring the victims during the pre-camp.
“I hope that this ceremony will continue to be held at each and every Maccabiah Games.”
Australia’s newly appointed ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma, paid tribute to the victims at the ceremony, as well as to Josh’s resilience and tenacity.
“I am sure your father is immensely proud of you Joshua and I congratulate you on having the strength to come back here and to celebrate his memory by participating in the Games,” Sharma said.
Maccabi Australia president Lisa Borowick said Maccabi will always hold services with the entire delegation at every Maccabiah Games because the memory of the victims will not be forgotten.
“We have two choices to make [after the tragedy]. To dwell in the past with a shadow over your head, or you can continue to write the chapters of your life, but never forget to honour and remember what happened.”
This year, Josh has joined more than 400 members of the Australian Maccabiah team who are hoping to write new chapters in their sporting history when the Games begin tonight (Thursday).
JOSHUA LEVI
The Australian Maccabiah team marches in memory of the four victims of the 1997 bridge collapse. Photo: Peter Haskin
View all of Day 1 – Day 5 photos in this week’s (Friday, July 19) iPad edition.
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