Feature
Seymour
Rifkind , left , was among the members of the U . S . delegation that brought pickleball to the Maccabi Games in July . The president and founder of the World Pickleball Federation was instrumental in pickleball ’ s inclusion in what ’ s affectionately known as the Jewish Olympics and features nearly 10,000 athletes from 60 countries .
PICKLEBALL MAKES MACCABI GAMES DEBUT
U . S . Ambassadors set upon a quest to spread love of the game .
By Drew Wathey
PHOTO BY MEGAN HALL
In what many consider a major steppingstone in the evolution of the sport , a United States pickleball delegation made its way this summer to Israel for the Maccabi Games , one of the largest events in international athletics .
Affectionately known as the “ Jewish Olympics ,” the Maccabi Games features nearly 60 countries participating in 42 sports . Its field of 10,000 athletes is surpassed only by the Summer Olympic Games and soccer ’ s FIFA World Cup . Led by one of pickleball ’ s most ardent ambassadors , Seymour Rifkind , the U . S . contingent — composed of seven open pros , senior pros and executives — showcased pickleball as an official exhibition sport in four locales throughout the region .
“ Rif is a force of nature . I ’ ve never met anyone as passionate about spreading the love of the game like he does ,” said Brian Levine , a high-level senior singles pro who helped debut the sport at the 21st Maccabi Games . “ And by the way , despite being in his 70s , he still has some tremendous pickle game !”
A force of nature may be an understatement when describing Rifkind , president and founder of the World Pickleball Federation , the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association and the Pickleball Hall of Fame . An unending commitment to pickleball ’ s global growth is what drives Rifkind , a former elite gymnast who competed and medaled at the Maccabi Games in 1969 .
“ Everyone can learn to dink the ball back and forth , and this gives everyone the joy of success . It ’ s suitable for a 5-year-old or 85-year-old , so all ages can truly play a sport for life ,” said Rifkind , who once finished one of the most difficult races in the world , the Badwater 135 , a 135-mile run that starts in Death Valley and ascends 14,600 feet . “ The game itself has so many unique characteristics : soft touch , patience , strategy along with power , speed and quick reflexes . Two extremes , and at the higher level you need all of it to be successful . So easy to learn , yet so hard to master .”
In addition to Levine , USA Pickleball President Robert Quicksilver , DUPR CEO Jill Braverman , Scott Fliegelman , Susie Leblang and Megan Hall all joined Rifkind on what he called a “ 10-day trip of a lifetime .”