 | |
| Host city | Tel Aviv, Israel |
|---|---|
| Nations | 21[1] |
| Debuting countries |  Mexico |
| Athletes | 980 |
| Opening | September 15, 1957[1] |
| Closing | September 24, 1957[2] |
| Opened by | Israeli President Yitzhak Ben Zvi |
| Main venue | Ramat Gan Stadium |
Twenty-one countries sent 980 athletes to compete in the 1957 5th Maccabiah Games, an international Jewish athletics competition similar to the Olympics.[1] The opening ceremony on September 15, 1957, was held in Ramat Gan Stadium, with athletes parading before Israeli President Yitzhak Ben Zvi.[1]
The presence of many world-class Jewish athletes elevated the quality of competition. The athletes were housed in the newly built Maccabiah Village. The closing ceremony on September 24, 1957, was attended by 50,000 people, and Prime Minister David Ben Gurion addressed the crowd, saying: "Be strong. Be unified. Be proud and conscious of your Jewishness and send your youth to Israel to restore the glory and greatness of our people."[2]
- ^ a b c d "Teams From 21 Nations Parade At Maccabiah Opening in Israel". The New York Times.
- ^ a b "Berger Sets Weight-Lift Record In Finale of Maccabiah Games; Emigrated to U.S. in 1949 Athletes Hear Premier". The New York Times.