The IOC - Dr. Jacques Rogge in particular - refused. Sure, he held a moment of silence at the signing of the Olympic Truce in Olympic Village, but to honour the murdered athletes for all the world to acknowledge? No.
Many question why? In some cases, people agree that the photo that is circulating around Facebook right now of Dr. Rogge wearing a Palestine Olympic scarf may be the reason. It has been suggested that Dr. Rogge was a supporter of Hitler, a known anti-Semite and clearly a Palestine-supporter. (Palestine - that fictional country that actually has a team competing at London!)
Dr. Rogge says the Games are not the place to launch a political agenda. In saying this, and by denying the Israeli athletes a mere minute, he has done just that.
But don't think this went unnoticed.
Bob Costas, covering the Games for NBC made his feelings known to his audience.
As the Israelis marched behind flag-bearer Shahar Zubari, Costas said the London Games marked the 40th anniversary of the Munich tragedy.
“There have been calls from a number of quarters for the IOC to acknowledge that, with a moment of silence at some point in tonight’s ceremony. The IOC denied that request, noting it had honored the victims on other occasions. And in fact, this week (IOC president) Jacques Rogge led a moment of silence before about 100 people in the Athletes’ Village,” Costas said. “Still, for many, tonight, with the world watching, is the true time and place to remember those who were lost, and how they died.”
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/olympics-2012/nbc-bob-costas-chides-international-olympic-committee-failing-recognize-munich-tragedy-article-1.1123759#ixzz21yeYRUrM
CTV's Olympic Correspondent, Brian Williams, Was even more vocal, by not shying away from the truth of the deaths of the athletes. Bob Costas made no mention even remotely close to their deaths being from murder. As far as anyone knew, they may have just dropped dead of their own accord.
Brian Williams, however, said the following:
As Israel prepares to enter, my position is well known. It is one that I have taken at previous Olympics. It is wrong that the IOC refuses to have a minute's silence for Israeli athletes that were slaughtered in Munich."
Williams, of course, was referring to the murder of 11 Israeli athletes during the 1972 Olympics.
"It is a much bigger issue this year, as it's the 40th anniversary of Munich. Members of the Canadian government, yesterday, our Governor General, all calling for a moment's silence. Dr Rogge (Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC) says the ceremony is not the place to remember a tragic event, but, uh, it's tragic, however, it's one of the most significant and world changing events in Olympic history. It absolutely should have been done here. The IOC worries about politics. This event is political by its very nature."
His co-Correspondant, Lisa LaFlamme neither agreed, nor refuted her co-Correspondant. In fact, the following is unofficial transcript of the ceremony:
Lisa LaFlamme: The widow of one of the victims spoke out saying 'they came with dreams, they went home in coffins.' They want to be remembered here tonight.
Brian Williams: And remember - they died as Olympians.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs applauded Brian and Lisa for their courage and passionate stand. As do I.
And, as if to add insult to injury, the IOC, or the London Olympic Committee (I'm not clear which) held a tribute to those involved in preparing for the London Games who had lost a family member in the past year.
Below, is a list fatalities
- Shot during the initial break-in
- Moshe Weinberg (wrestling coach)
- Yossef Romano (weightlifter)
- Shot and killed by grenade in helicopter D-HAQO
- D-HAQO was the eastern helicopter.
- According to the order in which they were seated, from left to right:
- Ze'ev Friedman (weightlifter)
- David Berger (weightlifter)
- Yakov Springer (weightlifting judge)
- Eliezer Halfin (wrestler)
- Shot in helicopter D-HAQU
- D-HAQU was the western helicopter.
- According to the order in which they were seated, from left to right:
- Yossef Gutfreund (wrestling referee)
- Kehat Shorr (shooting coach)
- Mark Slavin (wrestler)
- Andre Spitzer (fencing coach)
- Amitzur Shapira (track coach)
Gayla,
ReplyDeleteGood commentary about the tragic event that occurred 40 years ago. I was 17 years old at the time. I will always remember it as a horrific event that shook the peace-loving part of the world. It was terrifying and so very sad for the victims, their families and Israel. It was an attack on all Jews across the world. As we always say, "Never forget".
Miriam
Phenomenal coverage of this 40 year old heinous event, and an intense reminder how some things never change. 40 years later we need to beg for a moment for silence. REALLY???? Thank you for sharing all that Gayla.
DeleteDayna Switzer
The video of CTV's coverage of Israel's entrance (as well as NBC's, BBC's and Eurosport's) can be viewed here: http://www.sassvideo.com/IsraelOlympics.html
ReplyDeleteThanks, Daniel, for adding your link so others can watch the newscasters take on things. I haven't seen the BBC feed, so it would be interesting to see what they had to say, considering their website doesn't acknowledge Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
ReplyDelete