Historical Background on the Munich Olympics Massacre 1

Foreword 1 Introduction 4 World Map 9 CHAPTER 1 Historical Background on the Munich Olympics Massacre 1. The Events and Legacy of the Munich Olympics Massacre 13 Lisa Maglojf An author provides a brief summary of the events at the Munich Olympics and at the German military airfield where most of the killings took place. The viewpoint also touches on the long-term aftermath of the event. 2. Terrorists Turn '72 Munich Olympics Into Bloodbath 21 Bruce Lowitt A journalist traces the events of the Munich massacre as they evolved on September 5, 1972, up to a very subdued closing ceremony. 3. Broadcasting the Events of Munich in Real Time 29 Tom Hojfarth The attack at Munich was the first such event to be broadcast on television around the world, thanks to new satellite technology and the presence of many capable reporters. http://d-nb.info/1058509063 Twenty-five years afterward, a writer speaks with renowned ABC sports announcer Jim McKay, who remained in front of the cameras for hours on September 5, 1972. 4. Olympics Memorial for Eleven Israeli Athletes 35 Nissan Ratzlav-Katz An Israeli journalist writes of a memorial held by the Israeli Olympic team in the ath lete's village at the 2008 games in Beijing, China. Although it did not have official sanc tion from Olympics officials, the event was attended by VIPs, family members, and other well-wishers. 5. Munich 1972: When Terrorism "Contaminated" the Olympics 39 Kelly Whiteside An Israeli swimmer living in the United States tells a reporter how the 2012 Summer Olympics in London will remind him once again of the massacre he escaped in 1972. CHAPTER 2: Controversies Surrounding the Munich Olympics Massacre 1. The Germans Wanted to Create a Relaxed, Friendly Environment for Olympic Athletes 48 Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXth Olympiad In an official report, German Olympic offi cials describe how they hoped to create an atmosphere in the athlete's village that was not military or overly strict. They also note that there was never any legitimate indication of a terrorist attack. 2. Security in the Munich Olympic Village Was Poor 54 Francie Grace Using as a main source the memories of Ankie Spitzer, the wife of murdered Israeli fencing coach Andre Spitzer, a reporter describes how easy it was for anyone to pass in and out of the athletes village in Munich. 3. The German Way with Terror 63 Simon Reeve Although the Germans said little about their reactions to the Munich terrorist attacks, an author writes, new sources show how poorly prepared they were to deal with such an event. 4. Sartre on Munich 1972 69 Elizabeth Bowman A scholar translates and summarizes the viewpoint of French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, who argues that terrorism was the only weapon Palestinians could use and that the attack in Munich was a success by bring ing the attention of the world to the plight of Palestinians. 5. It Was the Costliest Day in Olympic History 76 Jim Murray A long-time sports journalist for the Los Angeles Times who was on the scene in Munich on September 5, 1972, describes the odd atmosphere early that day and asserts that the nature of the Olympics has now changed. 6. Sports Can Seem Inconsequential in Moments of Crisis, but They Reflect Our Humanity Philip Hersh Writing in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, a reporter notes how athletes both supported and opposed the decision to continue the 1972 Olympics after the Munich attack. 7. German Authorities Helped Surviving Palestinian Attackers Escape Jason Burke A British journalist describes how German officials, fearful of a threatened wave of terror ist attacks, helped the surviving members of the Black September group escape Germany less than two months after the Munich massacre. 8. The Munich Attack Inaugurated the Modern Era of Terrorism Erich Follath and Gerhard Sporl In an article from a German newsmagazine examining the 2005 film Munich, which portrayed the events of the massacre as well as Israel's reaction to them, two journalists argue that the attack was unprecedented, as were the global attention it received and the drastic response on the part of Israel's gov ernment. 9. Abu Daoud: No Regrets for Munich Olympics Associated Press Speaking in 2006, four years before he died of natural causes, the last surviving terrorist closely connected to the Munich attack asserts that the Palestinians gained a victory by bring ing their plight to the attention of millions around the world. CHAPTER 3: Personal Narratives 1. A Survivor Remembers and Draws Lessons from the Tragedy of the Munich Massacre 115 Yau Ng Dan Alon, a fencer on the Israeli Olympic team in 1972, speaks to a university about how he survived the crisis and how it affected his perspectives on both sports and terrorism. 2. An Israeli Athlete Remembers the Day He Lost His Teammates 118 Joseph Santoliquito An Israeli wrestler who was only seventeen years old in 1972 speaks of the events of the Munich massacre to an audience at the 2011 Maccabi games at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. 3. An Israeli Wrestler and His Family: From the Soviet Union to Israel to Munich 122 Ronen Dorfan Using interviews and letters, a writer traces the life of slain Israeli wrestler Mark Slavin as he and his family emigrated from the Soviet Union to Israel. 4. Eyewitness at Munich 130 Dwight Chapin More than thirty years after the Munich Olympics, a sports journalist writes of his per sonal reactions to the 1972 terrorist attacks. Chronology 135 For Further Reading 139 Index 142 .

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