Israel, the last delegation to enter the stadium, was called to march in about an hour after the first country had entered. Officials tried to herd us neatly into lines of ten so we could march sedately into the stadium, but their efforts were useless. We organized ourselves into groups according to our various sports, and in we pranced, clapped, danced or just walked in a daze.

The experience of walking into Ramat Gan stadium with all the lights and the roar of the crowd, surrounded by athletes representing a country I had chosen to live in, was, to say the least, overwhelming. I may have been there on a technicality, because the Triathlon Association had decided that they wanted representation from every age group, but walking into that stadium I felt ten feet tall. I felt proud to be an athlete, proud to be Jewish and immensely proud to be Israeli.

As I strutted around that stadium waving my Israeli flag, with the crowd cheering and applauding, I thought that only Israel could invite Jews from all over the world and host an event like the Maccabiah. Israelis endure daily difficulties and deprivations, which are especially challenging for immigrants like me from more wealthy countries, pay exorbitant taxes, and send their children into the army. Whether due to or in spite of those challenges, Israelis have great inner strength, an immense amount of know-how and energy, and steadfast determination to celebrate life.

The Runner's High

There I was in the middle of the Maccabiah Opening Ceremony, on that July night in Israel, standing with over 7,000 Jewish athletes from around the world and surrounded by over 40,000 supporters. Together we sang HaTikvah, the Israeli national anthem. The experience was emotionally overwhelming. Whether it showed in our goose bumps or tears, we all felt moved. We all felt honored to belong. And we all will remember our Maccabiah experience for the rest of our lives.

At 11:00 p.m., the ceremony ended. The athletes were asked to wait for buses which would take them back to their cars. At 12:30 a.m., we gave up on waiting for buses and started to walk back our cars. My 30-minute ride home took an hour and 30 minutes. Due to the bus wait, walk and drive home, I only arrived home at 3:00 a.m. Never mind, because when I looked at my too expensive, too large, sweat-stained tracksuit trousers and shirt the next morning, I felt the same incredible sense of elation and honor I had felt the night before. I had the experience of a lifetime, and enduring feelings of excitement and privilege will continue to bring me pleasure in the future.

The Finish Line

These feelings will give me the strength I’ll need for Friday’s Maccabiah Triathlon. I’ll get up at 3:30 a.m. I’ll prepare for a 6:00 a.m. start in Ashkelon. I will swim 1.5 kilometers, bicycle 40 kilometers and run 10 kilometers. I expect the honor of representing Israel, in this competition against athletes from all over the world, will help me to swim faster, ride better and run quicker.

The Medal Ceremony

Catherine Goldblatt, a British immigrant to Israel and a member of the Israeli Triathlon team, won a silver medal in the 17th Maccabiah Games.