This isn't the first time this has occurred in Asia when the Olympics were coming up or going on, correct? I remember watching a tribute to a great broadcaster (can't recall name; mind is going blank) and they had one of his televised broadcasts where a terrorist held one of the Olympic competitors hostage. I believe it was late seventies or eighties.
Hopefully things go off without any further hitches and people can set aside their differences for at least these few weeks.
That was Jim McKay who reported the Israeli hostage situation at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. That's genuinely sad.
I remember when that was unfolding...man that was really a crazy thing. Very very sad as well. Didnt a handfull of people actually die over that? I remember all the made-for-tv movies that spun from that.
According to what I found 11 Israelis were captured and 2 were killed. You can read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_massacre
In 1972 the Olympics returned to Germany for the first time since 1936. Back then, Nazism was hitting its stride and Adolf Hitler hoped to use the Games as a way to show off the "superiority" of his Aryan race on a world's stage. Most Germans hoped the Munich Games in 1972 would at least in some way help to heal the racial wounds caused by Hitler. The world was still rife with political unrest. The Vietnam War raged on, racial tensions in the United States persisted, and violence littered the Middle East. German president Gustav Heinemann welcomed the Olympics as "a milestone on the road to a new way of life with the aim of realizing peaceful coexistence among peoples." Eight Arab Terrorists On the morning of September 5, with six days left in the Games, the worst tragedy in Olympic history hit. Eight Arab terrorists stormed into the Olympic village and raided the apartment building that housed the Israeli contingent. Two Israeli athletes were killed and nine more were seized as hostages. They demanded the release of over 200 Palestinians serving time in Israeli jails, along with two renowned German terrorists. After a day of unsuccessful negotiations, the terrorists collected the hostages and headed for the military airport in Munich for a flight back to the Middle East. At the airport, German sharpshooters opened fire, killing three of the Palestinians. A horrifying gun battle ensued, claiming the lives of all nine of the hostages, along with one policeman and two terrorists.
Yeah that's pretty much it right there. I've always heard of the hostage situation but I never knew the specifics.
Unless I am mistaken, that is the last time Isreal represented at the Olympics as well. Damn crying shame is what it is. IF I was an Olympic calibur athlete (Beer guzzling doesnt count) I would be SERIOUSLY second guessing giong to these olympics.
Yeah it will be a bad situation for all involved with the general contempt held for the Chinese government and the fact that the pollution will probably be a major factor. So this particular Olympics is sort of like a powder keg that could explode but hopefully it doesn't.
The fact that the Chinese Govt openly dictates VIA Iron fist is the worst part. It is just ripe for an internal faction to strike out to gain international publicity for the cause. Oh yeah, I wouldnt feel to safe about any of the ME Terrorist organizations doing the exact same for their cause.
There is no doubt that you are probably correct but I am going to be an optimist in this situation (all the while keeping an eye one what's happening). If security forces can pull together and do their jobs then I think that it should go off without much problems.
MA PIT'OM! We're there every year. Gal Friedman won Israel's first gold medal in Athens. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Gfriedman.html
At first, it occurred to me that the Tibetans have finally lost patience and decided to learn from the Palestinians. It looks more like it was Muslim terrorists.
My sincere apologies Mike. Somehow I knew it was only a matter of time until you either corrected me or concurred. To be honest I had to look up Gal Friedman.....interesting that Boardsailing/Windsurfing is an Olympic event
Not a problem Kenny. BTW, my own apologies for responding so late. I had forgotten about this thread.
I dont think that's true, unless I'm not understanding what you're saying. Israel has a team at these Olympics, i remember seeing them walk in during the opening ceremony. edit: NM, just saw Miamian already set you straight lol