Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Ussr’s Participation in Olympic Games Criticized in View of Soviet Persecution of Jews, Other Minori

July 21, 1976
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

A protest against the Soviet Union’s participation in the Olympic Games “in view of its persecution of Soviet Jewry and other minorities” was made today by the Women’s Campaign for Soviet Jewry.

In a letter to Lord Killanin, the group expressed surprise, that while excluding South Africa and Taiwan, the International Olympic Committee “condoned” the Soviet government’s domination of the Soviet Olympic Committee.

The letter quoted from the International Olympic rules which stated that “all national Olympic committees must be independent and autonomous and in a position to resist all political, religious or commercial pressures.” National committees that did not conform to the rules and regulations would “forfeit their recognition and the right to send participants to the Olympic Games.”

Earlier, a public memorial service for the 11 Israeli athletes slain at the Munich Games was held in London’s Hyde Park under the aegis of the British Herut Party.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement