Israel Police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld said Sunday that authorities "are leaving nothing to chance" for Thursday's opening ceremony for the 19th quadrennial Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem, according to Daniel K. Eisenbud of the JERUSALEM POST. The event is expected to attract roughly 30,000 spectators and host 9,000 athletes from over 70 countries, "making it the largest Maccabiah Games in history." Rosenfeld said, "Israeli Police are implementing final security measures at the stadium where the Game's opening ceremony will commence Thursday evening. Several thousand police officers will be on hand to secure the area at all times." Rosenfeld added that "a breadth of specialized units will be in and around the stadium for the duration of the Games to ensure the public’s and athletes’ safety." The Maccabiah Games are also known as the "Jewish Olympics." Traditionally held in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem will host all three of the Game’s main events this year, including the opening ceremony, the Youth Event at Sultan’s Pool on July 25 and the closing celebration on July 30 (JERUSALEM POST, 7/14).
