Share
Email
PrintMunich bids on Olympics as memorial fight continues
(JTA) -- Munich, the German city where 11 Israelis were killed during a terrorist attack at the 1972 Summer Olympics, is bidding to host the 2018 Winter Games.
The city's bid committee on Tuesday handed its bid book to officials from the International Olympic Committee. Munich would become the first city to host both a winter and a summer Olympics.
Eleven Israeli athletes and coaches were killed when Palestinian terrorists from the Black September group broke into their barracks in the Olympic vlllage of the 1972 Games and held them hostage. During an unsuccessful rescue attempt, all of the hostages were killed.
The families of the athletes have tried unsuccessfully for decades to hold an opening ceremonies memorial service for the victims of the 1972 terrorist attack, but have been told by the IOC that it is not willing to mix politics and sport or to offend delegates from the 40 Arab and Muslim countries.
Zvi Vashaviak, the president of the Israel Olympic Committee, told The Jerusalem Post that he believes if Munich wins the Games, it will agree to hold the memorial ceremony.
The other two cities being considered for the 2018 Games are Annecy, France, and Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Don't miss out! Get the JTA Daily Briefing delivered FREE to your inbox!
Click to login and write a letter to the editor.
This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now.
Featured Content
Need to know? Get JTA's free e-newsletters!
- Romney to meet with Jewish donors
- White House sets May 30 for Jewish Heritage
- Bulgaria’s economic crisis has its Jewish community facing harsh realities
- French railroad inks deal with Yad Vashem to research deportations
- Tel Aviv protest against African migrants turns violent
- Palestinian terror cells uncovered
- Haredi politician’s failure to shake hands riles female Belgian minister
- One-minute video calls for moment of silence at Olympics
