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First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on September 6, 1972
Arab killers halt Games
ISRAELI COACH SHOT DEAD IN RAID, 13 HELD HOSTAGE
Tuesday, — Five Arab terrorists armed with machineguns broke into the Olympic village this morning and shot two Israeli team officials, killing one.
Palestinian terrorist on the balcony of Block 31 Connolly Strasse where 12 Israeli weightlifters and wrestlers were taken hostage during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. Credit:Russell McPhedran
The Bavarian Interior Ministry said the terrorists were holding at least 13 Israelis, including the wounded man, as hostages.
The International Olympic Committee, acting on a request by the Israeli Government, suspended the Olympic Games this afternoon for 24 hours.
The president of the International Olympic Committee, Mr Avery Brundage, said a memorial service would be held at 10 am tomorrow in the Stadium “to make clear the Olympic spirit is stronger than acts of terrorism.”
Mr Brundage acted after conferring with the West German Chancellor, Mr Brandt, who had flown to Munich by special jet.
The attack was at 5 am. The terrorists set a deadline of noon for acceptance of their demands, then extended it to 5 pm (2 am Wednesday, Sydney time). This deadline came and went.
In Beirut, the Black September Movement, an Arab guerilla group, claimed responsibility for the attack and issued a list of five “non-negotiable” demands.