Mark Spitz, the American-Jewish swimming gold medalist, had no time to put on his shoes before last night’s victory ceremonies at the Olympic Games in Munich. As a result, Soviet Olympic officials may file a protest. They claim that the shoes Spitz held before tv and news cameras were clearly identifiable as the product of a West German sporting goods firm. Their implication was that the swimming champ was promoting the brand. Officials in Munich were said to be certain that Spitz acted in all innocence.
Kenneth Tread way, manager of the US swimming team, said Spitz was “caught up in the rush” and had no time to put on his shoes. But the International Olympics Committee is particularly sensitive to the possibility of commercialism by Olympic athletes. Dr. Harold Henning, secretary of the International Swimming Federation, issued a memorandum forbidding the carrying of shoes to the victory podium.
Spitz has so far won three gold medals with record-setting performances in the 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter free style and the anchor leg on a world record 400-meter free style relay.
The National Insurance Institute in Jerusalem announced today that it has extended its coverage to compensate Arab workers from the administered territories who are injured by accidents or through terrorist activities on their way to jobs in Israel. Currently only workers inside Israel proper are entitled to compensation for injuries suffered on their way to work.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
