Munich, 1972 Olympic Games
The 1972 Olympic Games were held in Munich, Germany. This was the second time that the Olympic Games had been hosted in Germany, the first time was in Berlin in 1936.
These Games were overshadowed when members of the Black September terrorist group kidnapped eleven Israeli team members from the Olympic Village, killing two and taking the other nine hostage.
The most outstanding athlete of these Games was Mark Spitz from USA, who won seven gold medals, all in world record time.
Trivia
- The Olympic Oath was taken by a referee for the first time.
- The Black September terrorist group kidnapped 11 Israeli team members from the Olympic Village, killing two and taking the other nine hostage. As the result of a bungled rescue attempt by the German authorities, the remaining nine captives were killed alongside three of their captors - all but three of the terrorists were killed. After a day of mourning, the Games continued, although American Mark Spitz, a Jew, left the country for his own safety.
- The USA basketball team lost a game for the first time, falling to the Soviet Union, but refused to accept the silver medal, claiming that the clock had been improperly restarted in the final moments.
- The Soviets lead the U.S. in the medal count - 99 (50 gold) to 94 (33 gold). See the 1972 medal table.
Athletes
- In 1972 American Frank Shorter pulled the US into the running boom by winning the gold medal in the marathon at the Munich Olympics. Shorter was actually born in Munich.
- British Equestrian, Lorna Johnstone was 70 years and 5 days old when she rode at the 1972 Games, thus being the oldest woman ever to compete at an Olympic Games.
- Mark Spitz from USA won seven gold medals at the Munich Games, and won them all in world record time.
Related Pages
- list of sports at the 1972 Olympic Games
- Complete list of Olympic host cities
- Heidelberg 1972 Paralympic Games
- Berlin Games in 1936
- Germany at the Olympic Games.
- Videos from the 1972 Olympics
- 1972: The Year in Sport
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
Upcoming Events