jstandard: Swimmer Jason Lezak chooses Maccabiah Games over World Championships

Our local paper, the Jewish Standard, today ran a cover story on the Maccabiah Games in Israel. If you have never been, you are missing one of the great events of Jewish peoplehood. I was at the opening ceremonies in 1993 - one of the most moving sporting events I can recall.

The Standard reports that swimmer Jason Lezak has chosen to compete in the Tel Aviv Maccabiah Games rather than in the World Championships in Rome - an absolutely astonishing commentary on the achievements of the Jewish State.

...Lezak registered one of the most dramatic performances during the Beijing games last August, with his late dash to capture gold for the U.S. in the 400-meter relay. He came from about half a body length behind in the last 20 meters to nip the Frenchman Alain Bernard, a former world-record holder in the 100 freestyle.

The clutch performance not only secured victory for the United States, it also saved relay teammate Michael Phelps’ ultimately successful bid to win a record eight Olympic gold medals, snapping the mark of seven set in a single Olympic Games by another Jewish swimmer, Mark Spitz. Lezak also would win his first individual Olympic medal — a bronze in the 100 freestyle....more...