Aaron Blatt This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Blatt doesn't withdraw from Maccabiah Games

   www.dailynews.com/sports/artic - [Cached]

   Published on: 7/17/2001   Last Visited: 7/17/2001

   Blatt doesn't withdraw from Maccabiah Games.
   ...
   Aaron Blatt of Encino , a member of the U.S. rugby team , is not one of them. He was among 20 , 000 who gathered Monday in Jerusalem for the opening ceremonies.
   
   The competition , called the Jewish Olympics , was reduced from 11 to eight days after thousands who feared for their safety pulled out.
   
   If we cancel , it's like saying that terrorism wins , Blatt said.
   
   Blatt , a former football player at Montclair Prep in Van Nuys and a two-time All-American rugby player at San Diego State , was among roughly 600 Jewish-American competitors forced to decide whether they would make the trip to the volatile Middle East.
   
   I talked to him about the dangers of going there , Blatt's father , James , said , that many American Jews are a direct target for terrorists..
   
   ...
   Originally , everybody was pumped up about going , Aaron Blatt said. It's been difficult to get e-mails from those who decided not to go..
   
   ...
   Blatt , who played in Australia for a year with the Southern District Rebels and now plays with the Santa Monica Rugby Club , was among 24 players chosen for the Maccabiah team at a 90-player tryout in Chicago last year.
   
   In the midst of all the safety precautions , Blatt does not want the team's primary goal to be forgotten.
   
   We're all more concerned more about defending the gold medal that the USA Rugby team won four years ago , Blatt said.
   
   As for the potential for violence in Israel , Blatt said he hopes the Games will occur without incident.
   
   It's always in the back of your mind , but , to me , it's worth the risk , he said.
   
   16th MACCABIAH GAMES
   
   Where : Israel When : July 16-26 History : The first Maccabiah Games were held in 1932 with 300 athletes from 13 nations and has been held every four years since 1957. The 1997 Games had more than 5 , 000 athletes from 53 countries.
   ...
   • Blatt doesn't withdraw from Maccabiah Games. • Solis edged on final day. • Webb impressive , comes up empty. • Galaxy likes break. • Anaheim collects 15 hits as rusty Tollberg chased. • Judge throws out four charges