The Maccabiah Games are named in honor of the Jewish Maccabees, who in the 2nd century BC revolted against and defeated the superior armies of King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who was trying to abolish Judaism.

[2] The flame to light the Maccabiah torch was lit at an ancient cemetery in Modiin, where it is believed that the Maccabees are buried, and run to the stadium by a relay of runners.

[13][14][15][16][17] World record holder Henry Laskau of the United States won the gold medal in 3,000 m race walking.

Olympian Michal Lamdani competed for Israel in the high jump, winning a gold medal.

[21][22] In tennis, Dutchman Tom Okker won both the men's singles and the mixed doubles gold medals.

[26][10][24] Emmanuel won a gold medal in women's tennis in doubles with partner Rene Wolpert, defeating Americans Nadine Netter and Carole Wright.

[14] In fencing, Yves Dreyfus, a future two-time Olympic bronze medalist, won the silver medal for France in individual épée.

[14] Otto Decker, whose parents sent him from Germany to England as part of the kindertransport at the outset of the Holocaust, represented the U.S., which came in 9th, as a halfback in soccer.