A United States Maccabiah Games contingent numbering 339 members arrived here today headed by Nat Holman, president of the United States Committee Sports for Israel, sponsor of the American Maccabiah team which will participate in the 10th set of Games slated to begin July 12.
The group consists of 300 athletes plus coaches and officials from all over the United States. This is by far the largest contingent ever to represent this country in the competition. Four years ago the U.S. team comprised 201 athletes as compared to the 300 currently preparing for the competition which starts shortly.
Some 2500 participants representing 30-odd nations are gathered here putting in their finishing touches on their preparations for the contests. Australia, apparently, has the second largest delegation with more than 250 athletes and supporters in their contingent. They have brought over a group consisting of 110 men and 80 women athletes, plus their coaches and committeemen. Holman indicated that the flag bearer in the opening day parade July 12 will be Wendy Weinberg, the Olympic bronze medalist in the Games held last year in Canada when she came in third in the 800-meter free style swimming event.
The largest component in the American contingent is represented in track and field with 33 participants, three coaches and committeemen. The swimming team, which is headed by Ms. Weinberg, is the second largest sports group in the party and includes Barbie Weinstein, the defending Maccabiah gold medalist and AAU champion in the 10meter platform diving event.
One of the unique representatives on the American team is Alan Silverstein, assistant manager of the basketball team, who came to Israel with a Sefer Torah that he is presenting to a synagogue in Bat Yam. Silverstein is a member of the East Flatbush Synagogue in Brooklyn, N. Y., which is closing and was delegated to carry the Torah to the rabbi in Bat Yam who formerly served as spiritual leader of the East Flatbush congregation.
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