The Maccabiah 2026 Torch Journey Has Officially Begun
Olympic triathlete Shachar Sagiv lit the flame: "An enormous honor and a great responsibility"
- 31 December, 2025
This Hanukkah - a holiday symbolizing light, resilience, and renewal - the official Torch Journey of the Maccabiah 2026 was launched in a powerful and symbolic ceremony at the Maccabees’ Tombs, following the traditional torch run of the Maccabi Tzair movement.
Olympic triathlete Shachar Sagiv had the honor of lighting the torch, creating a deeply moving full-circle moment: 40 years after his father, Dr. Shmuel Sagiv, represented Israel as a marathon runner at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Shachar – now 31 years old – carried the flame himself. An elite triathlete who placed 20th at the Tokyo Olympics, he is already looking ahead to competing once again in Los Angeles in 2028.
Currently ranked 18th in the world for the 2025 season - the highest ranking ever achieved by an Israeli triathlete — Sagiv arrived at this moment after an outstanding year, including World Cup medals and podium finishes at the European Championships. Beyond his sporting achievements, he also made history as the first Israeli athlete to compete in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the Maccabiah’s core values of equality, connection, and building bridges between communities, nations, and cultures through sport.
“There is no better place to launch the Maccabiah 2026 torch than the Maccabees’ Tombs, during the Holiday of Light,” said Assaf Goren, Chairman of the Maccabiah. “Choosing Shachar Sagiv connects the chain of generations - from the Maccabees of ancient times to today’s Olympic athletes. On the road to Maccabiah 2026, Shachar represents the determined Israeli spirit that continues to shine.”
Shachar Sagiv added: “Holding the torch at the place where it all began is both an enormous honor and a great responsibility. The flame, joining the light of the Hanukkah candles, symbolizes the inner drive and commitment that guide me and my father - the pursuit of excellence and the pride of representing our country. Standing there, I thought about my father’s journey in 1984 and the upcoming Maccabiah, which will stand as a symbol of strength and hope for the entire Jewish people.”
The Maccabiah 2026 Torch will now embark on a six-month journey across Jewish communities around the world, before returning to Israel for the Opening Ceremony on July 1, 2026. We look forward to welcoming you there!
