1961 Maccabiah Games

1961 Maccabiah Games

The 1961 6th Maccabiah Games attracted 1,000 athletes from 27 countries.

First-time countries included Guatemala and Congo-Kinshasa.

The new Kfar Ha’Maccabiah Village served as home to the competing athletes.

Because the Maccabi World Union had been designated an “Organization of Olympic Standing” by the 1960 Olympic Congress, the Maccabiah Games were now recognized as a Regional Sport Event under the auspices and supervision of the International Olympic Committee and International Sports Federations.

The International Maccabiah Games Committee was established, and included non-Maccabi–affiliated organizations such as Hapoel, the Canadian Maccabiah Committee, and the United States Committee Sports for Israel.

In swimming, Marilyn Ramenofsky of the US, who three years later was to win a silver medal at the Olympics in the 400-Meter Freestyle, and was a 3x world record holder, won a gold medal in the 400-Meter Freestyle Relay and a bronze in the 400-Meter Freestyle. She led the U.S. swimming team, which won all but two events.

In fencing, Olympic bronze medal winner Yves Dreyfus of France won the gold medal in épée. 5-time Olympic fencer Al Axelrod won a gold medal in foil.

Larry Brown led the USA basketball team to a gold medal. Teammates Allen Rosenberg and Donald Spero of the US won gold medals in rowing.

Gary Gubner of the US won the shot put with a 60 foot, 1-1/4 inch (18.32 meter) throw.

American Dick Savitt won both the singles and doubles (with Mike Franks) men's tennis gold medals.

Angelica Rozeanu of Israel, who in her career won 17 world titles, was the women's table tennis singles champion.