US swimmer Lezak skips Worlds for Maccabiah Games
JERUSALEM — Olympic gold medalist Jason Lezak says his Jewish heritage has inspired him to compete in Israel's Maccabiah Games instead of the upcoming World Swimming Championships in Rome.
The three-time Olympic gold medalist said on Sunday that his goal is still to bring home the gold for the U.S.
The Maccabiah Games are an international competition for Jewish athletes held every four years in Israel. The 10-day competition opens July 13. The World Swimming Championships begin July 18.
Lezak gained worldwide recognition in the 2008 Beijing Olympics' 400 meter freestyle relay when he overtook the world record-holding French swimmer on the final lap. Lezak's lap helped teammate Michael Phelps to a record eight gold medals.
Lezak will compete in multiple events at the Maccabiah.
Comments
Olympic gold medalist Jason Lezak looks on during a meeting with the mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat, not seen, in Jerusalem, Sunday.
- Getting serious about seat belts 1:15 a.m.
- Witness describes '99 killing 1:15 a.m.
- Police increase presence at Skyline 1:14 a.m.
- Cougars cruise past Southern 1:03 a.m.
- Utes fall to Seattle U. at home 1:01 a.m.
- Utah celebrates Real Salt Lake Day 12:59 a.m.
- Y. focused on 10-win season 12:54 a.m.
- Thunder rolls by Jazz 12:49 a.m.
- Sloan remembers Abe Pollin 12:47 a.m.
- 'Cats get past pesky D-II foe 12:33 a.m.
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- KSL: Prostitution in Utah County
- Best prep football games of 2009
- Man trapped in own body for 23 yrs
- Kirilenko climbing blocks list
- Witness describes '99 killing
- Boys basketball rankings
- 'Dancing' will fill out finale
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
229 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?224
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks202
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple189
- Bronco, Kyle rubber match137
- BYU records with win133
- Letters: Rushing to judge Palin122
- Hall, Johnson matchup key102
- Jazz finally win in San Antonio99
- 4A: Timpview wins 4th in 4 years93
 |
Basketball Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
| Jazz | 28 | 24 | 16 | 26 | 94 | |
| Thunder | 25 | 28 | 31 | 20 | 104 |
On Tuesday, the Utes moved their preparations for this week's game at...
Latest comments
needs to get a dunk!
First of all, the Thunder aren't known for being a great outside shooting...
And if BYU didn't lose any games, they could have been in the BCS. And if...
OKC = 16 Jazz = 24. Boozer and Millsap had 10 and Okur had 2. That is...
to To KF 9:35 PM My 42% increase may seem insignificant, but I have a...
Nice........
This is so weird. You see how stacked it is to include Nebraska,simply...
Mike, don't take it so personal. We know you are a Utah homer, but let's get...
I am a Seneca Indian from Western NY and find the meso America theory hard to...
If the chances are slim to none, why is this even news?? Trust the D.N. to...
You can be the first to comment on this story.