The 1972 Munich Olympics, unfortunately, did not become famous for the merits of the organizers or the athletes. It was then that the terrorist attack took place, which became one of the most terrible events that ever darkened the Olympic Games.
The XX Olympic Games, held in Munich in September 1972, became notorious for the Palestinian terrorist attack on the Israeli delegation. The IOC, like the German authorities, was well aware that a terrorist attack would take place at the Olympics, and analysts even predicted 26 possible scenarios for its holding so that the event organizers could adjust their actions and provide protection to the residents of the Olympic Village. However, unfortunately, the necessary measures were never taken.
Part of the reason for the terrorist attack was the ban on the participation of the Palestinian Youth Federation in the XX Olympic Games. The purpose of the Black October group was to seize representatives of the Israeli sports delegation for the subsequent exchange of hostages for Palestinian terrorists, who were at that time in prisons. In addition, their plans included the murder of several athletes, which would allow additional pressure on the Israeli authorities and at the same time would not be associated with the need to deal directly with the politicians themselves, who were much more difficult to reach.
In the early morning of September 5, 8 terrorists in training suits and with backpacks full of weapons entered the territory of the Olympic Village. They were noticed, but the people in the village decided that they were athletes. Having reached the building where the Israelis lived, the terrorists rushed inside, shot two athletes and took nine people hostage. Low qualifications and poor professional training of the people who conducted the negotiations and the operation to free the hostages caused all 9 captured athletes to die, while three terrorists survived, and later, the German authorities released them. A helicopter pilot and one policeman were also victims of the attack.
It was in 1972 that the IOC first decided on a one-day break in the Games. Many athletes and guests left Munich fearing for their lives. The Israelis were denied the extradition for trial of the surviving terrorists Samir Mohammed Abdullah, Abdel Khair Al Dnaoui and Ibrahim Masood Badran. The reputation of the German authorities was hopelessly tarnished, and they did not manage to cleanse themselves of the Munich disgrace soon. Later in Germany, a special anti-terrorist unit was created, thanks to which the conduct of military operations to free the hostages became more successful than in 1972.
