Durlacher to represent USA in Israel

American Greco-Roman wrestler Lindsey Durlacher will be joined by more than 7,000 other Jewish athletes in Israel for the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 Maccabiah Games on July 13. The Games will feature the greatest Jewish athletes in the world for nearly two weeks of competition and cultural immersion.

"It's kind of like a mini-Olympics for Jewish people," Durlacher said. "Every four years they give an opportunity to the great Jewish athletes in the world to come together and compete in their respective sports and learn a little bit about their religion."

Durlacher has taken part in the Maccabiah Games several times before, which typically fall one year after the Summer Olympic Games. At the 2005 Maccabiah Games, Durlacher was honored with leading his team off the plane and carrying the American flag.

"I've won gold every time, so I expect gold this time," Durlacher said, as he prepares to make his fifth journey to Israel.

The Maccabiah Games have been held in what is now Israel since 1932, and expanded when the diaspora of Jews fled to Israel. It is now the third largest sporting event in the world, drawing athletes from more than 50 countries, including 900 athletes from the U.S.  

This year, along with Durlacher, swimmer Jason Lezak highlights the U.S. delegation. Lezak chose to forgo the 2009 Swimming World Championships in Rome so he could compete in the Games and further explore his heritage. He played a key role in the 2008 Olympic Games, when he anchored the 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay that helped Michael Phelps eventually capture eight gold medals in Beijing.

One of the main reasons for such high participation is that the Games are unlike any other sporting event. They encourage Jewish pride and strengthen religious and cultural bonds among the athletes.

"I'm identifying with my people and I'm supporting the state of Israel," Durlacher said.

Durlacher said in the past, the U.S. delegation has benefited from having the opportunity to visit more religious sites than other delegations, including the Dead Sea and Mount Masada.

"They educate you at the same time on how the country was formed, your religion, and you know, solidarity - getting all of the Jewish athletes together in a big spectacle to try to solidify with the country of Israel," Durlacher said.

Durlacher, a graduate of the University of Illinois, was one of the favorites to make the 2008 U.S. Olympic Wrestling team, but missed qualifying by one match. Heading into the U.S. Olympic Trials, he had the No.1-ranking, but finished third due to one bad match, just missing out on competing in Beijing.

The disappointment behind him, he now has his sights set on competing in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. For the last seven years, he has been training in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"To be the best in the world, you have to come to the Olympic Training Center to train full-time," Durlacher said.

But for the month of July, the veteran wrestler just wants to soak in every minute he gets to spend with his fellow Jewish-athletes in the land of his people.

"It's a special time," Durlacher said. "Not only do you get to take part in the sport that you love, but you get to educate yourself on the great state of Israel and all of its other many aspects of what they've done with their country."