The 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich began auspiciously on Aug. 26. By daybreak on Sept. 5, a terrorist group had broken into the Olympic Village and seized the attention of the world.
Black September: Terrorist Group Takes Hostages at the Olympic Games
In the largest Olympic Games to date, 7,173 athletes from 121 national organizing committees sent athletes to compete in the 1972 Olympic Games. The terrorist group, named Black September, cared little about most of those athletes, however. They only were out to find the Israeli team and officials.
In doing so, the eight Palestinian terrorists broke into the rooms of the Israeli team, killed two immediately and took nine hostage. In the ensuing standoff, the terrorists demanded the release of 200 Palestinians being held in Israeli prisons. In addition, the terrorists demanded a flight from Munich to Egypt for themselves and for their nine hostages.
After German interior minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher earned two deadline extensions while negotiating with the terrorists, two helicopters were provided to take the hostages and terrorists to their flight, which was to leave from Munich’s military air base.
After the helicopters landed at the base on the evening of Sept. 5, a shootout began between the terrorists and German police. Three terrorists and one police officer were killed in the gun battle. The surviving terrorists blew up the helicopters and shot the remaining hostages. In total, nine hostages, five terrorists and one police officer were killed during the hostage crisis, bringing the total dead to 17.
IOC President Avery Brundage: "The Games Must Go On"
After the tragedy, many argued that the remainder of the Games should be canceled, yet IOC members decided to continue with events at the behest of the Israeli government, which did not want to give in or show weakness in the face of the Palestinian terrorists. Many believe that the actions of the IOC, Israeli government and Black September essentially made the Israeli athletes and officials pawns in an international political games.
Nevertheless, after a 34-hour break, a commemorative mass and ceremony, the Olympic Games did continue. Throughout the years, IOC President Avery Brundage has famously been quoted, saying “The Games must go on” and could not be destroyed “by a handful of terrorists.” In the years since, Brundage has frequently been criticized for his less-than-sensitive remarks and actions.
Athletes and Champions of the 1972 Summer Olympic Games
Other occurrences of the 1972 Summer Olympic Games should pale in comparison to the tragedy, and for the most part, they do. It’s difficult to discuss triumphant heroes and extreme performances because almost everything that happened at the 1972 Games is overshadowed by the actions of the terrorist group.
Yet, one performance has managed to separate itself from the dark disaster. The 1972 accomplishments of American swimmer Mark Spitz shine just as brightly today as they did during September so many years ago.
During the 1972 Summer Games, Spitz earned a record seven gold medals and set seven world records. Spitz earned gold in everything he swam: the 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x200m freestyle relay and 4x100m medley relay. Until 2008, when Michael Phelps accomplished the feat, no one had come close to surpassing Spitz’s unbelievable record of seven gold medals and seven world records in one Olympics.
Spitz’s female counterpart of the Games was Australian swimmer Shane Gould, who earned three gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal.
The 1972 Games also saw the first female champion in equestrian when German Liselott Lisenhoff won gold in dressage.
Despite the golden performances by athletes, it is difficult to think about the 1972 Games without focusing on the overshadowing horror. After the Games, many questioned whether the peaceful spirit of the Olympic Games could ever be restored.
Indeed, that question is still on the lips of many today. Though blood has not since been spilled to the degree of the 1972 Games, the years following would once again see athletes used a political pawns by national governments.
Sources:
- 1972 Munich Olympics, The Official Website of the Olympic Movement. Olympic.org
- The Olympic Games: Athens 1896-Athens 2004. Dorling Kindersley Limited, London, 2004.
Kristen Nichols - Kristen is a freelance reporter and copywriter covering Olympic and Paralympic sport for Suite101.com. Kristen's love of sport developed ...
