[3] American swimmer Jason Lezak was given the honor of lighting the Maccabiah torch at the Opening Ceremony.

However, internal pressure was taking its toll on Oliver, but he still managed to fill his shoes both as a box-to-box midfielder and the indispensable leader.

Greco-Roman former world champion wrestler Lindsey Durlacher was the flagbearer for the US, and Olympic pole vaulter Jillian Schwartz, who later won a gold medal, was one of the US banner bearers.

[15] Israeli swimmers who won gold medals were future Olympian Amit Ivry in the Women's 100m butterfly (with a time of 58.50), Keren Siebner in the 4 × 200 m freestyle and the 4 × 100 m medley, Guy Barnea in the Men's 100m backstroke (with a time of 54.22, setting a new Maccabiah Games record and Israeli record), Gal Nevo in the 400m medley, Olympian Michael Halika in the 200 m individual medley, and Alon Mandel in the 100m butterfly (setting a new Maccabiah Games record of 52.99 seconds).

[22][23][24] Israeli judokas Yarden Gerbi, a future world champion and Olympic bronze medalist, and Gregory Rudelson won silver medals.

[33][34][35] Israeli gymnast and future Olympian Valeria Maksyuta won gold on the vault, and silver medals in the all-around and on the uneven bars.

[43] Israelis Timor Avitan, Nir Bitton, Tzahi Elihen, Sari Falah, Muayan Halaili, Adir Maman, Barak Moshe, Alon Turgeman, Arik Yanko, Osher Zeitun, and Hana Nasser won a bronze medal in football.

[55] Chess grandmaster Judit Polgár from Hungary, the number 1 rated woman in the world, was named the Maccabiah's most outstanding female athlete of the Games.

[62] Zach Test and Shawn Lipman played for the US Maccabiah rugby union team, winning a bronze medal.

[63][64] Ukrainian future world championship silver medalist Vasyl Fedoryshyn competed in wrestling.