 | |
| Host city | Tel Aviv, Israel |
|---|---|
| Nations | 27 |
| Debuting countries |  Colombia  Congo-Léopoldville  Guatemala  Uruguay |
| Athletes | 1,100 |
| Opening | August 29, 1961[1] |
| Closing | September 5, 1961[2] |
| Opened by | Israeli President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi[1] |
| Main venue | Ramat Gan Stadium |
The 6th Maccabiah Games were held in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1961, with 1,100 athletes from 27 countries competing in 18 sports.[1][3][4] The Games were officially opened in an Opening Ceremony on August 29, 1961, in Ramat Gan Stadium by Israeli President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi before a crowd of 30,000.[1] The closing ceremony took place on September 5, 1961, at the stadium before a crowd of 40,000, with Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion telling the crowd that he hoped that in the future athletes from North Africa, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and the Soviet Union would also compete.[2] The United States won 58 gold medals, Israel won 28 gold medals, and South Africa was third with 11 gold medals.[2] American sportscaster Mel Allen narrated a film about the 1961 Games.[5]
- ^ a b c d "30,000 IN ISRAEL SEE GAMES OPEN; U.S. Athletes Cheered at Maccabiah Ceremonies". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c "Herman Honored at Ceremonies Closing Sixth Maccabiah Games". The New York Times.
- ^ A Record of U.S. Participation in the 6th Maccabiah Games. United States Committee Sports for Israel, Inc. 1961. p. 150. OCLC 851574788.
- ^ "135 Maccabiah Games Athletes Get Plaque, Praise From Mayor; Wagner Makes 'Bon Voyage' Address to U.S. Squad That Will Compete in Tel Aviv Starting Tuesday". The New York Times.
- ^ "ISRAELI GAMES FILM TO AID '65 U.S. TEAM". The New York Times.