Alex Averbuch, former European champion in the pole vault, will return to competing for one night only – after retiring four years ago at the last Maccabiah. In a surprise comeback, Averbuch, 38, is determined to win the Gold at the Maccabiah, and sees this as his last chance on the International stage. His chances have increased since USA's top Maccabiah vaulter, Brian Mondschein, is still recovering his knee and hopes to be back for the Games. Alex said, “I retired in 2009 a few months after my daughter was born. She never had a chance to see me jump, and now she will have the chance to do so.”
In other Maccabiah news, USA Olympic gold medalist Ali Raisman will be joining Team USA in Israel this Summer. She will be participating in an undisclosed capacity. Personally, I'm thrilled by this news and it deserves a separate blog entry, but I'm trying to keep the blog Track and field related. She made me, along with millions of Jewish athlete supporters, very proud this past Summer in London.
Additionally, New York Knick, Amar'e Stoudemire, will be coaching the Canadian Maccabiah Basketball team. He is a recent convert and we are eager to roll-out a warm welcome to him. Check out this interview with Amar'e in Israel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQPJ1Ujo7_U
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