Port Jeff native makes a big splash at Maccabiah Games

Port Jefferson native Brendan Miller returned home following one of the most remarkable performances of the 2026 Maccabiah Games.

The 15-year-old won four gold medals, three silver medals, and one bronze medal, while breaking multiple Junior Maccabiah swimming records. His historic performance included setting a new Boys U17 200-meter Individual Medley Maccabiah record with a time of 2:10.97, lowering the previous mark by more than a second and becoming the first non-Israeli athlete to hold that record at the games. He also established a new Maccabiah record in the Boys U17 400-meter Individual Medley, becoming the first non-Israeli swimmer to set a swimming record at the 2026 Maccabiah Games. 

In addition to his record-breaking swims, Miller captured gold medals in the 200-meter backstroke and 200-meter freestyle, earned silver medals in the 100-meter backstroke, 4×100-meter U17 boys relay, and 4×50-meter U17 mixed freestyle relay, and won bronze in the 400-meter freestyle, helping Maccabi USA earn more than 300 medals across dozens of sports during the games

“These games demonstrated the extraordinary talent, determination, and spirit of our delegation,” said Marshall Einhorn, CEO of Maccabi USA. “Our athletes represented not only the United States but the strength of the global Jewish community. Whether standing on the podium, breaking records, or competing for the first time in Israel, they embodied everything the Maccabiah represents.”