What were the Munich 1972 Olympic Games?

The 1972 Munich Olympic Games marked the return of the Olympics to Germany since the controversial 1936 Berlin Games. Held from August 26 to September 11, the Munich Games aimed to showcase a new, peaceful image of West Germany. However, tragedy struck on September 5 when eight Palestinian terrorists from the Black September group attacked the Olympic Village, killing two members of the Israeli team and taking nine others hostage. The failed rescue attempt resulted in the death of all remaining hostages, five terrorists, and a West German policeman. Despite the tragedy, which brought the Games to a halt for a day, the Olympics continued . The games saw more than 7,000 athletes from 122 countries participate. Memorable athletic achievements included Mark Spitz's seven gold medals in swimming and the Soviet Union's controversial basketball victory over the United States.

Where were these Olympic Games held?

The 1972 Olympic Games were held in Munich , West Germany, from August 26 to September 11. These games marked the return of the Olympics to a German city since the 1936 Games in Berlin . The organizers named them "Die Heiteren Spiele" or "The Cheerful Games". However, tragedy struck when members of the Palestinian militant group Black September killed two members of the Israeli team and took nine others hostage.

What sports and events took place at the Munich Olympics?

The 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich featured a variety of sports and events, but was marred by tragedy when members of the Palestinian militant group Black September killed two members of the Israeli team and took nine others hostage. More than 7,000 athletes from 122 countries participated in the Munich Games , which took place August 26–September 11, 1972. Some of the sports and events that took place at the Munich Olympics included: * Track and field * Swimming * Archery (returned to the Games for the first time since 1920) * Gymnastics * Weightlifting * Boxing * Basketball The Soviet Union won the gold medal in men’s basketball, controversially defeating the United States, who had previously never lost an Olympic game. American swimmer Mark Spitz won seven gold medals, and Australian swimmer Shane Gould won three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze.

Who were some famous athletes at the Munich 1972 Olympics?

The 1972 Munich Olympics showcased several remarkable athletes. Mark Spitz made history by winning seven gold medals in swimming. Olga Korbut , a Soviet gymnast, captured hearts with her gold medals in the balance beam and floor exercise. In track and field, Valery Borzov of the Soviet Union won gold in both the 100- and 200-meter runs, while Lasse Virén of Finland triumphed in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races. Additionally, Australia's Shane Gould excelled in women's swimming, securing three gold medals along with a silver and a bronze.

What tragic event happened during the Munich Games?

The tragic event that occurred during the 1972 Munich Olympics was the Munich Massacre . On September 5, eight Palestinian terrorists from the militant group Black September infiltrated the Olympic Village and killed two members of the Israeli team. They held nine other Israelis hostage, demanding the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners in Israel. A failed rescue attempt resulted in the death of all the hostages, five of their captors, and a West German policeman. The Games were suspended for a day to conduct a memorial service for the victims at the Olympic Stadium.

How did the events at Munich 1972 impact future Olympic Games?

The Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics led to significant changes in security measures at future Olympic Games. In the aftermath of the attack, security became a top priority, with increased surveillance, stricter access controls, and visible armed forces. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also reevaluated its approach to security, working more closely with host cities and national governments to ensure the safety of athletes and spectators. Though the Games were suspended for a day, the president of the IOC at the time, Avery Brundage, declared that "the games must go on," which has been a source of controversy since.

Munich 1972 Olympic Games

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Steve Prefontaine of the United States, wearing bib 1005, leads Lasse Viren of Finland, bib 228, and Emiel Puttemans of Belgium, bib 61, during the 1972 Olympic men's 5,000 meters race.

A person wearing a hood and mask stands on a balcony in the Munich Olympic Village during the 1972 hostage crisis.

Black September at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games

Uncovering the tragedy of the Munich massacre

Mark Spitz at the Munich 1972 Olympic Games

Olga Korbut at the Munich 1972 Olympic Games

Valery Borzov at the Munich 1972 Olympic Games

Quick Facts

Date:: August 26, 1972 - September 11, 1972

Location:: Germany; Munich

Key People:: Avery Brundage; Frei Otto; Jim McKay

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Munich 1972 Olympic Games

Also known as: Games of the XX Olympiad

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History

Top Questions

What were the Munich 1972 Olympic Games?
The 1972 Munich Olympic Games marked the return of the Olympics to Germany since the controversial 1936 Berlin Games. Held from August 26 to September 11, the Munich Games aimed to showcase a new, peaceful image of West Germany.

However, tragedy struck on September 5 when eight Palestinian terrorists from the Black September group attacked the Olympic Village, killing two members of the Israeli team and taking nine others hostage. The failed rescue attempt resulted in the death of all remaining hostages, five terrorists, and a West German policeman.

Despite the tragedy, which brought the Games to a halt for a day, the Olympics continued. The games saw more than 7,000 athletes from 122 countries participate. Memorable athletic achievements included Mark Spitz's seven gold medals in swimming and the Soviet Union's controversial basketball victory over the United States.
3 Britannica Sources
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Where were these Olympic Games held?
The 1972 Olympic Games were held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11. These games marked the return of the Olympics to a German city since the 1936 Games in Berlin. The organizers named them "Die Heiteren Spiele" or "The Cheerful Games". However, tragedy struck when members of the Palestinian militant group Black September killed two members of the Israeli team and took nine others hostage.
4 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What sports and events took place at the Munich Olympics?
The 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich featured a variety of sports and events, but was marred by tragedy when members of the Palestinian militant group Black September killed two members of the Israeli team and took nine others hostage.

More than 7,000 athletes from 122 countries participated in the Munich Games, which took place August 26–September 11, 1972.

Some of the sports and events that took place at the Munich Olympics included:
* Track and field
* Swimming
* Archery (returned to the Games for the first time since 1920)
* Gymnastics
* Weightlifting
* Boxing
* Basketball

The Soviet Union won the gold medal in men’s basketball, controversially defeating the United States, who had previously never lost an Olympic game. American swimmer Mark Spitz won seven gold medals, and Australian swimmer Shane Gould won three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Who were some famous athletes at the Munich 1972 Olympics?
The 1972 Munich Olympics showcased several remarkable athletes. Mark Spitz made history by winning seven gold medals in swimming. Olga Korbut, a Soviet gymnast, captured hearts with her gold medals in the balance beam and floor exercise. In track and field, Valery Borzov of the Soviet Union won gold in both the 100- and 200-meter runs, while Lasse Virén of Finland triumphed in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races. Additionally, Australia's Shane Gould excelled in women's swimming, securing three gold medals along with a silver and a bronze.
5 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What tragic event happened during the Munich Games?
The tragic event that occurred during the 1972 Munich Olympics was the Munich Massacre. On September 5, eight Palestinian terrorists from the militant group Black September infiltrated the Olympic Village and killed two members of the Israeli team. They held nine other Israelis hostage, demanding the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

A failed rescue attempt resulted in the death of all the hostages, five of their captors, and a West German policeman. The Games were suspended for a day to conduct a memorial service for the victims at the Olympic Stadium.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did the events at Munich 1972 impact future Olympic Games?
The Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics led to significant changes in security measures at future Olympic Games.

In the aftermath of the attack, security became a top priority, with increased surveillance, stricter access controls, and visible armed forces. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also reevaluated its approach to security, working more closely with host cities and national governments to ensure the safety of athletes and spectators. Though the Games were suspended for a day, the president of the IOC at the time, Avery Brundage, declared that "the games must go on," which has been a source of controversy since.
2 Britannica Sources
1. 20th-century international relations: The taking of Czechoslovakia
2. Munich massacre
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Munich 1972 Olympic Games, athletic festival held in Munich that took place August 26–September 11, 1972. The Munich Games were the 17th occurrence of the modern Olympic Games.

Tragedy struck the 1972 Olympics in Munich when eight Palestinian terrorists from the militant group Black September invaded the Olympic Village on September 5 and killed two members of the Israeli team. Nine other Israelis were held hostage as the terrorists bargained for the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners in Israel. All the hostages, five of their captors, and a West German policeman were slain in a failed rescue attempt. The tragedy brought the Games to a halt and cast a long shadow over what had been theretofore a memorably joyful Games. All competition was suspended for a day while a memorial service for the victims was conducted at the Olympic Stadium. International Olympic Committee president Avery Brundage’s decision to continue the Games after the attack was widely criticized. In subsequent Olympics, increased security measures in the Olympic Villages and competition venues protected athletes but also diminished the festive and open atmosphere that is at the heart of Olympism.

More than 7,000 athletes from 122 countries participated. The track-and-field competition was marred by protests over equipment, scheduling problems, and incidents on the track. Soviet sprinter Valery Borzov won both the 100- and 200-meter runs when two of his chief competitors, using a schedule with out-of-date starting times, missed their heats. Lasse Virén of Finland captured the gold medal in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs.

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Silhouette of hand holding sport torch behind the rings of an Olympic flag, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 3, 2015.

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The swimming competition starred American Mark Spitz, who won seven gold medals (three in relays), the most by any athlete in one Olympics to that time. Shane Gould of Australia won three gold medals, a silver, and a bronze in the women’s swimming events.

Most medals by country

U.S.S.R.: 99
United States: 94
East Germany: 66
West Germany: 40
Hungary: 35

Note: Medal count per the IOC website.

Archery returned to the Games for the first time since 1920, with events for both men and women. Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut and weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev made their Olympic debuts in 1972. Teófilo Stevenson of Cuba won the first of his three boxing gold medals in the heavyweight division.

The Soviet Union captured the gold medal in men’s basketball, upsetting the United States, which until then had never lost a game in Olympic competition. The victory was wrapped in controversy after game officials extended the contest by three seconds, allowing the Soviets the opportunity to score a final basket and win 51–50. The U.S. team, believing that the final result was unfair, did not attend the victory ceremony, refused their silver medals, and filed an official protest. Despite sworn testimony from the referee and the timekeeper that the Soviet victory was illegal, a five-man jury of appeal denied the U.S. protest. The top medal-winning athletes are listed below.

athlete	country	sport	gold	silver	bronze	total
1. Mark Spitz	U.S.	swimming	7	0	0	7
2. Katō Sawao	Japan	gymnastics	3	2	0	5
3. Shane Gould	Australia	swimming	3	1	1	5
4. Karin Janz	East Germany	gymnastics	2	2	2	5
5. Olga Korbut	U.S.S.R.	gymnastics	3	1	0	4
6. Roland Matthes	East Germany	swimming	2	1	1	4
6. Akinori Nakayama	Japan	gymnastics	2	1	1	4
6. Lyudmila Tourischeva	U.S.S.R.	gymnastics	2	1	1	4
6. Jerry Alan Heidenreich	U.S.	swimming	2	1	1	4
10. Shigeru Kasamatsu	Japan	gymnastics	1	1	2	4
10. Eizo Kenmotsu	Japan	gymnastics	1	1	2	4
10. Tamara Lazakovich	U.S.S.R.	gymnastics	1	1	2	4

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Mindy Johnston.

Munich 1972 Olympic Games

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