They attracted the largest attendance of any Maccabiah Games, including more than 900 representatives from the United States, almost 500 from Australia, and more than 2,000 from Israel, bringing the total participants to more than 7,700 from 55 countries.

[6][7][8] Two-time Pan American Games gold medalist Dan Kellner won the silver medal in foil for the US, as he was defeated by Israel's Tomer Or.

[13][14][15] American Daniel Madwed won a gold medal and set a new Maccabiah Games record in the men's 200-meter butterfly.

[19][20] In women's basketball, Shay Doron, who two years later signed with the WNBA New York Liberty, led the USA to a 5–0 record and a gold medal, and was selected Maccabiah MVP.

[21] In squash, Brian L. Roberts, the Chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation, won a gold medal with the US team in his fourth Maccabiah.

[22] [23][24][25][26][27] The US lost to gold medal winner Israel, which played with their U-20 National Team, which included Itay Shechter, Yuval Spungin, and Shmuel Kozokin.

In judo, 17-year-old Alice Schlesinger won a gold medal by defeating the world champion and former Israeli Daniella Krakower in the final.