The first European Maccabi Youth Games ever held in Britain began this week after nearly two years of meticulous planning.

More than 800 under-18 and under-16 delegates from 14 countries, including from places as far away as Argentina and South Africa, are competing in a range of different sports on a London site.

As well as athletes, families, and representatives from Maccabi World Union, who have travelled to the UK from Israel, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis was present for the opening ceremony.

Maccabi GB Chair Jonathan Prevezer told the youngsters: “Everyone here is proud of their nationality. That is why we love competing against each other, but first and foremost, we are all Jews."

Delegates arriving at the European Maccabi Youth Games 2024 (Photo: Jamie Gordon/Maccabi GB)

“We come together at a time when being Jewish is precarious throughout Europe and the world. Antisemitism is as bad as it has ever been in my lifetime. But through all of this, we think about Israel. We are proud of the state of Israel. We support Israel. We love Israel.”

He added that the Games were special, “not because they are the first European Youth Games, not because they are here in London, but because we are actually holding European Games at all. That in itself is a massive achievement, and we should all be very proud of ourselves.”

Practising in advance of the official start of the European Maccabi Youth Games 2024 (Photo: Jamie Gordon/Maccabi GB)

Paying tribute to CST, the local police and Maccabi staff, Prevezer thanked them for their “understanding and care” in organising and overseeing the Games.

As a mark of respect, each delegation has adopted one of the 120 hostages still held in Gaza, whose pictures were displayed on screens while the athletes marched round the auditorium.

Alongside the sporting competition, educational and social programming activities will be on offer during the Games, which run until August 6.

Athletes checking the programme for the European Maccabi Youth Games 2024 (Photo: Jamie Gordon/Maccabi GB)

Teams will be competing for medals in 23 different sports, including basketball, field hockey, football, futsal, table tennis and tennis.

Thrilled to have the opportunity to represent Maccabi USA in futsal, Nolan Shenkman, aged 15, from New Jersey, said: “After participating in the Maccabiah Games last year, I was keen to play again this year and especially to visit London as I haven’t been before. We also have a whole new futsal team, and I’m confident we are going to show the other delegations how it’s done.”

Practising prior to the official start of the European Maccabi Youth Games 2024 (Photo: Jamie Gordon/Maccabi GB)

Ashley Lerner, CEO of Maccabi GB, said the Games provided “an incredible opportunity to bring together young Jewish athletes from across the world to celebrate the community, sport and the fantastic Great British Jewish community."

“These Games could not be possible without the huge team of volunteers, CST and, of course, the generous sponsors, funders and partners who made it happen.”