Sport, Politics, and the Olypmics

The 1972 Olympic games in Munich were the first Games held on German territory since the infamous 1936 Berlin Games held by Adolf Hitler. The games were hoped to provide peace and excitement in West Germany, and were named "The Happy Games". Quite the opposite effect occured. The games were quickly turned upside down and tragic when the murder of eleven Israeli athletes took place by the Palestinian terrorist group 'Black September'. Hostages were taken in a nearby hotel, and after a gunfight at the nearby hotel ensued, eleven Israeli athletes were killed. After the massacre had occurred, there was a one day break and then the games continued. In my opinion, it is awful that such an amazing spectacle of sporting talent must be marred by the sheer hatred of others. I believe since each country is 'competing' against each other in a sense, tension was heightened, and provided the perfect opportunity for such a gruesome attack. Politics and the Olympics are always going to be related in some way, shape, or form, because of the ongoing dispute between countries. Brundage was quoted to say "The games must go on.. and we must continue our efforts to keep them clean, pure, and honest". The decision was approved by the Israeli government. I believe that although the lives of eleven athletes were lost, they did the right thing in letting the games ensue. It is testimony that no matter what people try and do to stop the integrity of sport, the tradition still lives on.

Above, one of the most iconic pictures taken during the Munich Massacre, a gunmen is seen looking down from building 31 where the hostages were taken.