Team GB Launch Maccabiah Kit
With the Maccabiah Games just over a week away, Sunday saw Team GB hold their official kit launch at JFS.
Included a video message from Lord Coe, words from the Chief Rabbi, and speeches from Maccabi dignitaries, Team GB's squad of more than 500 athletes were out in force as the countdown to the 18th edition of the Games gets ever closer.
Addressing those assembled, Head of Delegation Team GB, David Pinnick, said: "This is the biggest delegation that GB have ever sent to the Maccabiah. In all we have 515 athletes across 24 sports including nearly 200 football and futsal players at one end of the spectrum to a single chess player at the other, all of whom are all part of Team GB.
"Many of the athletes have worked extremely hard to get to this point in terms of training, commitment and raising the necessary amount of funds and for this I offer everyone my sincerest congratulations. Not only will we have a huge squad of athletes, but we'll also have 500 supporters travelling to Israel to play their part in your sporting ambitions.
"We will be the third largest delegation after Israel and the USA and we'll march into the Ramat Gan stadium on 13 July in front of 50,000 spectators, including both the President and Prime Minister of Israel."
While the Chief Rabbi was unable to attend due to illness, his message was read out by Open Football manager Jonathan Kestenbaum. It read: "You are all a source of immense pride to all of us, Maccabi is one of the great organisations of Anglo-Jewry and you list its values. The Maccabiah is a unique expression of Jewish unity and ambition with its historic origins in the building of the Jewish State. I hope you all win but even those who don't travel in the knowledge that you are the largest ever GB Team and you win a great victory for Jewish pride and the Jewish people. My blessings and those of our community go with you. Shaloch Habracah."
Lord Coe who revealed he was at the Macacbiah in . Having been present at a couple of the Track & Field competitions, he said he was 'blown away with what he saw'. My advice to all athletes going out to Israel is to enjoy. It's an extraordinary opportunity and you should have a massive amount of pride for wearing the GB vest. It's something that all of us aspire to and you will be the face of this country, and do recognise the huge responsibility that you will have on your shoulders.
"Enjoy it, the responsibility of representing your country on the highest platform. The Games have dramatically increased in size and stature and you're part of it so enjoy it."
