The 15th European Maccabi Games – a Jewish multi-sports event held every four years – began in Budapest yesterday.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán received the delegation of the games and leaders of the Hungarian Jewish community in his office yesterday and said he was glad that the European Maccabi Games have “returned to their European roots”. The first event was held in Prague in 1929.
PM Orbán also posted an image on his Facebook page carrying a backpack with the logo of the games, with the comment “Honorary member of the team”.
This year the event – held every four years, two years after the Maccabiah Games in Israel – has a record number of participants in its 90-year history: 2,300 athletes from 42 countries, competing in 24 disciplines.
Hungary has a Jewish population of around 100,000.
Photo credit: 444.hu