The 15th Maccabiah
Ice-Skating
 |
Issue: July 1997 Artist: Igal Gabay Size: 40mm x 25.7mm Plate #: 301 Sheet of 15 stamps Tabs: 5 Printers: E. Lewin-Epstein Ltd. Printing Method: offset |
he 15th Maccabiah, held from 14 to 24 July 1997 under the banner of "100 Years of Zionism", celebrates the inauguration of the 50th anniversary
of the State of Israel.This outstanding Zionist-Maccabiah enterprise has changed much since it was first held on the sand dunes of North Tel Aviv in the Maccabiah stadium constructed there in 1932. From 390 Jewish athletes representing 18 countries, the competition has grown to more than 5,100 participants from 50 countries and five continents.
One hundred years after Max Nordau's stirring call at the podium of the Second Zionist Congress for a "Healthy Soul in a Healthy Body" thousands of Jewish youth and adults will come together to form a "Judaism of Muscles."
Ice Skating
The Israel Association of Ice Skating has, since its foundation in 1989, trained ice skaters and coaches from among the many new immigrants from the former Soviet Union, North America and Europe. Today, the association trains hundreds of "home-grown" athletes -- from as young as three-and-a-half years old. The association focuses on figure skating and short-run speed skating, practising in four clubs: Ramat Gan, Metulla, Haifa and Bat Yam.Since 1992, Israeli-trained skaters -- adults and youth alike -- have taken part in international matches, world-wide trophy competitions and other important competitions.
Since 1995, an international competition held under the auspices of the Olympic Ice Skating division has taken place annually in The Canada Centre in Metulla. This competition is one of the final rounds prior to the "Grand Prix" (International Trophy). In 1998, Israel will be represented by five competitors at the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
