Olympic hero to inspire Aussies
IT’S been a week of coups for the Australian delegation heading to the 19th Maccabiah Games in Israel in July, announcing wheelchair tennis star Adam Kellerman as the latest addition to the team, as well as securing Cathy Freeman as the guest speaker for the final fundraising event.
IT’S been a week of coups for the Australian delegation heading to the 19th Maccabiah Games in Israel in July, announcing wheelchair tennis star Adam Kellerman as the latest addition to the team, as well as securing Cathy Freeman as the guest speaker for the final fundraising event.
Kellerman, who represented Australia at the London Paralympics last year, will be one of three athletes donning the green and gold for the inaugural Paralympic events at the Games.
The 22-year-old will join table tennis player Barak Mizrachi and swimmer Mark Velik as Australia’s first Paralympic representatives.
“We’re quite happy that we’ve now got the three of them, two of whom have competed at international level,” head of delegation Harry Procel told The AJN.
“Once we knew there was going to be a viable competition for them, we were in full support of the Paralympic events.”
With two months to go until the event begins, Maccabi Australia will host its final fundraising events in both Victoria and NSW, where the team uniform will be unveiled.
Freeman – who won the gold medal in the 400m race at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 – will headline the night’s proceedings in Victoria, where the Aussie icon will impart her wisdom on representing Australia on the international stage.
Sydney Kings legend and three-time Olympian Damian Keogh will do the same at the Sydney event.
“It’s a real coup to have people of the ilk of Cathy and Damian get involved,” Procel said.
“Sometimes some of our athletes take for granted the size and scope of the Maccabiah event … so these opportunities give first-timers and particularly juniors, but also everyone, a bit of a buzz as to how important this becomes.”
It is also chance for the community to farewell the athletes and help raise funds for the travelling contingent through auctions, with highlights including travel packages and some classic sporting memorabilia.
The 19th Maccabiah Dinner and Auction Night Fundraiser will take place on Thursday, May 23 at Brighton International (Melway: 67 E9).
Enquiries: Harry Procel 0418 548 241.
Ashley Shenker
Photo: Peter Haskin
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