Israeli athletes won the largest number of individual medals and awards at the Fourth International Maccabiah games which closed here last night. The United States aggregation won the largest number of medals, cups and other awards among the 23 visiting teams.
Israeli athletes collected 32 gold medals, 47 sliver medals and 26 bronze medals, while Americans won 18 gold medals and an assortment of cups including the President Juan Peron Cup for the highest point score in men’s track and field events, the Keren Hayesod Cup for the highest point total in men’s swimming events, the Keren Hayesod Trophy for the highest point score among women, the Berl Locker Cup for the best team score in men’s events and a trophy presented by the Dubek cigarette factory for the best basketball team.
Both the track and swimming titles went to Israel, partly on the basis of the high scores turned in by Israeli women athletes. The Americans won all tennis titles, except the women’s singles where the U.S. came in second to Britain. In addition to taking top position in track and swimming, the Israelis won championships in soccer, boxing, wrestling, handball and shooting.
The athletes from South Africa won 18 gold medals, 11 silver and four bronze; the English teams won 16 gold medals, nine silver and 14 bronze; Argentina, five gold medals, two silver, two bronze; Sweden, two gold medals, one silver; Rhodesia, two gold medals, two silver; Denmark, two gold medals, one silver, two brouze; Canada, two gold medals, one silver; France, one gold medal, two bronze; Chile, three silver medals, one bronze; Turkey, two silver medals, one bronze; Belgium, Brazil and Australia one silver medal each; and Mexico and Italy, one bronze medal each.
Following the conclusion of the games, a world Maccabi congress opened here last night. Aharon Nethanel, chairman of the executive of the world sports movement, told the delegates that the sports group adhered to no political party or movement. He called for establishment of a permanent Maccabi Village in which Jewish athletes from abroad could live while studying in Israel.
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