1,500 Youth from 29 Nations Compete in Int’l Children’s Games in Israel

Under the banner “Play fair, win a friend,” 750 boys and 750 girls from 29 countries convened in Jerusalem to compete in the International Children’s Games.

By: Israel21C and United with Israel Staff

An opening ceremony on last Monday at Sultan’s Pool in Jerusalem welcomed 750 boys and 750 girls from 29 countries competing in the International Children’s Games.

A recognized organization of the International Olympic Committee, the Switzerland-based ICG has held the summer event in 500 different cities in 110 countries since 1968. This year, it’s Jerusalem’s turn.

“Seventy years of Israel and 50 years of ICG are found together in Jerusalem. It’s a unique capital, full of rich culture and we are here to celebrate the sporting event of young athletes in the Olympic spirit for the first time ever in the city,” said ICG President Torsten Rasch.

Participants, aged 12 to 15, came from Australia, Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine and United States, as well as Israel, which fielded 21 players.

Under the banner “Play fair, win a friend,” matches at several different Jerusalem venues encompassed nine sports: basketball, soccer, street ball, volleyball, fencing, judo, athletics, tennis and swimming in 29 head-to-head games.