Anthony Ervin to Compete for Team USA at World Maccabiah Games

Photo Courtesy: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Rick Ehrlich, Team USA Swim Chairman for the USA Maccabiah Organizing Committee, is proud to announce the appointment of three-time Olympian and World Champion gold medalist Anthony Ervin to Team USA. Since 2001, the Maccabi USA Swim Team has fielded an Olympian on every team (Lenny Krayzelburg, Scott Goldblatt, Jason Lezak and Garrett Weber-Gale).

“It is an honor to add Anthony Ervin to our USA Team,” said Ehrlich. “I am looking forward to having a swimmer of his caliber on our team, continuing the tradition of having an Olympic gold medalist on the Maccabi USA Swim Team.”

Ervin competed in the 2000, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games winning four medals, three gold and one silver, in addition to two gold and one silver medal at the 2001 and 2013 World Championships. He retired from competitive swimming in 2003 and then returned to training in 2011. At the Rio Olympics in 2016, Ervin became the oldest individual gold medalist in swimming history at the age of 35, when he took first place in the 50 freestyle.

“I am very excited to be participating in the 20^th World Maccabiah Games, amongst the Jewish athletes of the world,” said Ervin. “I will be competing for Team USA and feel privileged that through sport I’ve been given the opportunity to visit and compete in my ancestral home.”

The World Maccabiah Games are the world’s third largest international sporting event and will consist of over 9,000 athletes from 75 countries participating in 42 different sports. To learn more about the sports and age divisions offered, please visit our website.

The Maccabiah Games is more than an international sporting competition; it is a celebration of Jewish culture, unity and pride. ISRAEL CONNECT, Maccabi USA’s unique cultural and educational program takes place for seven days prior to the start of the Games. All Juniors, Youth, Open and Paralympic athletes participate in the program where they have the opportunity to tour historical and religious sites, take part in cultural identity seminars and train with their teams, all while developing lifelong relationships.

About the organization:

Maccabi USA (MUSA) is a federally-recognized not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The Organization is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games, and the Pan American and European Maccabi Games, as well as a sponsor of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America. As the official Maccabi representative in the U.S., Maccabi USA supports Jewish athletic endeavors, enhanced by cultural and educational activities in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora.

MUSA develops, promotes and supports international, national and regional athletic-based activities and facilities. It strives to provide Jewish athletes the world over the opportunity to share their heritage and customs in competitive athletic settings. MUSA supports programs that embody the Maccabi ideals of Jewish Continuity, Zionism and Excellence in Sport. Maccabi USA Builds Jewish Pride Through Sports.

Maccabi USA is a U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Multi-Sport Organization (MSO). The Organization is one of 38 MSOs nationwide to be recognized by the USOC for its ability to cultivate a national interest in sport and increase opportunities for participation internationally, nationally and at the grassroots level.

Press release courtesy of Maccabi USA.

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Korinda Walls

6 years ago

I have never heard of this event before – how awesome, and what a great way to celebrate heritage and achievement at once!