The Olympic park in Munich played host to the 1972 Summer Olympic games. It was the second time Germany hosted the summer Olympics (the first was 1936 in Berlin), and the intent was to change the view of Germany in the eyes of the world – to show a more optimistic Germany during the “Happy Games.” The games saw US swimmer Mark Spitz win 7 gold medals, as well as the tiny Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut win gold, and the Soviet upset of the US basketball team for the gold. However, the games will be forever remembered for the 11 Israeli athletes killed by Palestinian terrorists in an event that came to be known as the Munich Massacre.Today, the Olympic park continues to be a sports mecca and leisurely hub for the city.
2 comments:
Such triumph and such tragedy in such a beautiful place.
Wow, this is an incredible structure and I like the feeling of it you've captured here.
I really had forgotten that Spitz and Korbut had made their marks that particular year. I remember watching their events on TV. I was active as a lifeguard a few years afterward and my swim goggles had "Spitz 7" on the nose piece. Yet the larger memory is of the desperate and painful feelings surrounding the killings.
-Kim
Seattle Daily Photo
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